Job 32 :: New International Version (NIV)

Elihu

Job 32:1So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

Job 32:2But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God.

Job 32:3

Job 32:3He was also angry with the three friends, because they had found no way to refute Job, and yet had condemned him.[fn]

Job 32:4

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

Job 32:5

Job 32:5But when he saw that the three men had nothing more to say, his anger was aroused.

Job 32:6

Job 32:6So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said: “I am young in years, and you are old; that is why I was fearful, not daring to tell you what I know.

Job 32:7

Job 32:7I thought, ‘Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.’

Job 32:8

Job 32:8But it is the spirit[fn] in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.

Job 32:9

Job 32:9It is not only the old[fn] who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right.

Job 32:10

Job 32:10“Therefore I say: Listen to me; I too will tell you what I know.

Job 32:11

Job 32:11I waited while you spoke, I listened to your reasoning; while you were searching for words,

Job 32:12

Job 32:12I gave you my full attention. But not one of you has proved Job wrong; none of you has answered his arguments.

Job 32:13

Job 32:13Do not say, ‘We have found wisdom; let God, not a man, refute him.’

Job 32:14

Job 32:14But Job has not marshaled his words against me, and I will not answer him with your arguments.

Job 32:15

Job 32:15“They are dismayed and have no more to say; words have failed them.

Job 32:16

Job 32:16Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand there with no reply?

Job 32:17

Job 32:17I too will have my say; I too will tell what I know.

Job 32:18

Job 32:18For I am full of words, and the spirit within me compels me;

Job 32:19

Job 32:19inside I am like bottled-up wine, like new wineskins ready to burst.

Job 32:20

Job 32:20I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and reply.

Job 32:21

Job 32:21I will show no partiality, nor will I flatter anyone;

Job 32:22

Job 32:22for if I were skilled in flattery, my Maker would soon take me away.

See the NIV Preface (Especially for Parenthesis, Brackets, & Asterisks).

NIV Footnotes

(32:3)

Masoretic Text; an ancient Hebrew scribal tradition Job, and so had condemned God

(32:8)

Or Spirit; also in verse 18

(32:9)

Or many; or great

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