Introduction of Elihu

¹These three men stopped answering Job because he thought he was righteous.[#32.1 Or was righteous in his own eyes]

²Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite from the clan of Ram was angry, angry with Job because he considered himself more righteous than God.

³He was also angry with his three friends because they hadn’t found an answer but nevertheless thought Job wicked.

⁴Elihu had waited while Job spoke, for they were older than he.

⁵When Elihu saw that there had been no response in the speeches of the three men, he became very angry.

Elihu’s justification for speaking

⁶Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite said:

I’m young and you’re old,

so I held back, afraid to express my opinion to you.

⁷I thought, Let days speak;

let multiple years make wisdom known.

⁸But the spirit in a person,

the Almighty’s breath, gives understanding.

⁹The advanced in days aren’t wise;

the old don’t understand what’s right.

¹⁰Therefore, I say: “Listen to me;

I’ll state my view, even I.”

¹¹Look, I waited while you spoke,

listened while you reasoned,

while you searched for words.

¹²I was attentive to you,

but you offered no rebuke to Job,

no answer from you for his words.

¹³Be careful you don’t say, “We’ve found wisdom;

God, not a person, will defeat him.”

¹⁴Now Job hasn’t addressed me,[#32.14 Or he]

and I won’t quote you to him.

¹⁵They are troubled, no longer answer;

words now escape them.

¹⁶I waited, but they didn’t speak,

for they stood but answered no more.

¹⁷I will answer. Indeed, I will state my piece;[#32.17 Heb lacks]

I too will declare my view,

The spirit in my belly compels me.

¹⁹Look, my belly is like unopened wine;

²⁰I will speak and get relief;

I will open my lips and respond.

²¹I won’t be partial to anyone,

otherwise my maker would quickly whisk me away.