Job 32 — The Holy Bible

Elihu Is Angered at Job and His Friends

Job 32, verse 1. Job's three friends also ceased answering him, for he was righteous before them. Job 32, verse 2. Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, of the country of Ausitis, became furious; and he was very angry with Job, because he declared himself to be righteous before the Lord. Job 32, verse 3. He was also very angry with Job's three friends, because they found no answer to Job, and yet affirmed he was an ungodly man. Job 32, verse 4. Now because they were years older than he, Elihu waited to speak to Job. Job 32, verse 5. So when Elihu saw there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was aroused. Job 32, verse 6. So Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:

“I am young in years, and you are the elder;

Therefore I was silent

And dared not declare my knowledge to you.

I said, ‘It is not time that speaks,

Though in many years, men know wisdom.’

But there is a spirit in mortals,

And the breath of the Almighty is that which teaches them.

The long-lived are not always wise,

Nor do the old men always know judgment.

“Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me,

I also will declare what I know.’

Pay close attention to my words,

For I will speak in your hearing, while you examine my words,

And until I shall understand you.

So behold, not one of you answered Job in argument;

Lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom added to the Lord.’

But you permitted a man to speak such words.

“They were dismayed and answered no more;

They made their words obsolete.

I waited, for they did not speak.

Because they stood still, they did not answer.”

Job 32, verse 17. Then Elihu continued and said:

‘Again I will speak, for I am full of words;

The spirit within my stomach is killing me.

Indeed, my stomach is like a wineskin of sweet new wine,

Bound up and ready to burst,

Or like the blowpipe of a coppersmith, ready to bellow.

I will speak, that I may find relief in opening my lips.

I will not feel shame before any man,

Neither indeed will I feel shame before any mortal.

For I do not know how to flatter persons,

Or else the moths would eat me.