Job 32:4-20
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 32
4Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were years older than he. 5But when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men, his anger burned.
7I thought age should speak, And increased years should teach wisdom.
8But it is a spirit that is in mankind, And the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding.
9The abundant in years may not be wise, Nor may elders understand justice.
10So I say, ‘Listen to me, I too will tell what I think.’
11'Behold, I waited for your words, I listened to your skillful speech, While you pondered what to say.
12I also paid close attention to you; But indeed, there was no one who refuted Job, Not one of you who answered his words.
13So do not say, ‘We have found wisdom: God will defeat him, not man.’
14But he has not presented his words against me, Nor will I reply to him with your arguments.
15'They are dismayed, they no longer answer; Words have failed them.
16Should I wait, because they are not speaking, Because they have stopped and no longer answer?
17I too will give my share of answers; I also will tell my opinion.
18For I am full of words; The spirit within me compels me.
19Behold, my belly is like unvented wine; Like new wineskins, it is about to burst.
20Let me speak so that I may get relief; Let me open my lips and answer.
King James Version
Chapter 32
4Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he. 5When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled.
6And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion.
7I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.
8But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
9Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.
10Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion.
11Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.
12Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words:
13Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man.
14Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.
15They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.
16When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)
17I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion.
18For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.
19Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.
20I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.
Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 32
4Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were all older than he. 5But when he saw that the three men could not answer Job, he became angry.
6So Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite replied: I am young in years, while you are old; therefore I was timid and afraid to tell you what I know.
7I thought that age should speak and maturity should teach wisdom.
8But it is the spirit in a person-- the breath from the Almighty-- that gives anyone understanding.
9It is not only the old who are wise or the elderly who understand how to judge.
10Therefore I say, "Listen to me. I too will declare what I know."
11Look, I waited for your conclusions; I listened to your insights as you sought for words.
12I paid close attention to you. Yet no one proved Job wrong; not one of you refuted his arguments.
13So do not claim, "We have found wisdom; let God deal with him, not man."
14But Job has not directed his argument to me, and I will not respond to him with your arguments.
15Job's friends are dismayed and can no longer answer; words have left them.
16Should I continue to wait now that they are silent, now that they stand there and no longer answer?
17I too will answer; yes, I will tell what I know.
18For I am full of words, and my spirit compels me to speak.
19My heart is like unvented wine; it is about to burst like new wineskins.
20I must speak so that I can find relief; I must open my lips and respond.
New Living Translation
Chapter 32
4Elihu had waited for the others to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5But when he saw that they had no further reply, he spoke out angrily.
6Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said, 'I am young and you are old, so I held back from telling you what I think.
7I thought, ‘Those who are older should speak, for wisdom comes with age.’
8But there is a spirit within people, the breath of the Almighty within them, that makes them intelligent.
9Sometimes the elders are not wise. Sometimes the aged do not understand justice.
10So listen to me, and let me tell you what I think.
11'I have waited all this time, listening very carefully to your arguments, listening to you grope for words.
12I have listened, but not one of you has refuted Job or answered his arguments.
13And don’t tell me, ‘He is too wise for us. Only God can convince him.’
14If Job had been arguing with me, I would not answer with your kind of logic!
15You sit there baffled, with nothing more to say.
16Should I continue to wait, now that you are silent? Must I also remain silent?
17No, I will say my piece. I will speak my mind.
18For I am full of pent-up words, and the spirit within me urges me on.
19I am like a cask of wine without a vent, like a new wineskin ready to burst!
20I must speak to find relief, so let me give my answers.
English Standard Version
Chapter 32
4Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger.
7I said, ‘Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom.’
8But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.
9It is not the old who are wise, nor the aged who understand what is right.
10Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; let me also declare my opinion.’
11“Behold, I waited for your words, I listened for your wise sayings, while you searched out what to say.
12I gave you my attention, and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job or who answered his words.
13Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not a man.’
14He has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your speeches.
15“They are dismayed; they answer no more; they have not a word to say.
16And shall I wait, because they do not speak, because they stand there, and answer no more?
17I also will answer with my share; I also will declare my opinion.
18For I am full of words; the spirit within me constrains me.
19Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent; like new wineskins ready to burst.
20I must speak, that I may find relief; I must open my lips and answer.
New International Version
Chapter 32
4Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job because they were older than he. 5But when he saw that the three men had nothing more to say, his anger was aroused.
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.
7I thought, 'Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.'
8But it is the spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.
9It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right.
10Therefore I say: Listen to me; I too will tell you what I know.
11I waited while you spoke, I listened to your reasoning; while you were searching for words,
12I gave you my full attention. But not one of you has proved Job wrong; none of you has answered his arguments.
13Do not say, 'We have found wisdom; let God, not a man, refute him.'
14But Job has not marshaled his words against me, and I will not answer him with your arguments.
15They are dismayed and have no more to say; words have failed them.
16Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand there with no reply?
17I too will have my say; I too will tell what I know.
18For I am full of words, and the spirit within me compels me;
19inside I am like bottled-up wine, like new wineskins ready to burst.
20I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and reply.
New King James Version
Chapter 32
4Now because they were years older than he, Elihu had waited to speak to Job. 5When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was aroused.
6So Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, answered and said: “I am young in years, and you are very old; Therefore I was afraid, And dared not declare my opinion to you.
7I said, ‘Age should speak, And multitude of years should teach wisdom.’
8But there is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding.
9 Great men are not always wise, Nor do the aged always understand justice.
10“Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me, I also will declare my opinion.’
11Indeed I waited for your words, I listened to your reasonings, while you searched out what to say.
12I paid close attention to you; And surely not one of you convinced Job, Or answered his words—
13 Lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom’; God will vanquish him, not man.
14Now he has not directed his words against me; So I will not answer him with your words.
15“They are dismayed and answer no more; Words escape them.
16And I have waited, because they did not speak, Because they stood still and answered no more.
17I also will answer my part, I too will declare my opinion.
18For I am full of words; The spirit within me compels me.
19Indeed my belly is like wine that has no vent; It is ready to burst like new wineskins.
20I will speak, that I may find relief; I must open my lips and answer.
