Job 32 :: English Standard Version (ESV)

Elihu Rebukes Job’s Three Friends

Job 32:1So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

Job 32:2Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God.

Job 32:3

Job 32:3He burned with anger also at Job’s three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong.

Job 32:4

Job 32:4Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he.

Job 32:5

Job 32:5And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger.

Job 32:6

Job 32:6And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:
“I am young in years,
and you are aged;
therefore I was timid and afraid
to declare my opinion to you.

Job 32:7

Job 32:7I said, ‘Let days speak,
and many years teach wisdom.’

Job 32:8

Job 32:8But it is the spirit in man,
the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.

Job 32:9

Job 32:9It is not the old[fn] who are wise,
nor the aged who understand what is right.

Job 32:10

Job 32:10Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;
let me also declare my opinion.’

Job 32:11

Job 32:11“Behold, I waited for your words,
I listened for your wise sayings,
while you searched out what to say.

Job 32:12

Job 32:12I gave you my attention,
and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job
or who answered his words.

Job 32:13

Job 32:13Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom;
God may vanquish him, not a man.’

Job 32:14

Job 32:14He has not directed his words against me,
and I will not answer him with your speeches.

Job 32:15

Job 32:15“They are dismayed; they answer no more;
they have not a word to say.

Job 32:16

Job 32:16And shall I wait, because they do not speak,
because they stand there, and answer no more?

Job 32:17

Job 32:17I also will answer with my share;
I also will declare my opinion.

Job 32:18

Job 32:18For I am full of words;
the spirit within me constrains me.

Job 32:19

Job 32:19Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;
like new wineskins ready to burst.

Job 32:20

Job 32:20I must speak, that I may find relief;
I must open my lips and answer.

Job 32:21

Job 32:21I will not show partiality to any man
or use flattery toward any person.

Job 32:22

Job 32:22For I do not know how to flatter,
else my Maker would soon take me away.

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ESV Footnotes

(32:9)

Hebrew many [in years]

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