1So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.[#Job 33.9]
2Then Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became angry. He was angry at Job because he justified himself rather than God;[#Gen 22.21; Jer 25.23]
3he was angry also at Job’s three friends because they had found no answer, though they had declared Job to be in the wrong.[#Job 11.6; 15.16; 22.5; #32.3 Or answer, and had put God in the wrong]
4Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he.
5But when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouths of these three men, he became angry.
6Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite answered:[#Job 15.10]
“I am young in years,
and you are aged;
therefore I was timid and afraid
to declare my opinion to you.
7I said, ‘Let days speak
and many years teach wisdom.’
8But truly it is the spirit in a mortal,[#1 Kings 3.12; Job 27.3; 33.4; Prov 2.6]
the breath of the Almighty that makes for understanding.
9It is not the old who are wise[#1 Cor 1.26; #32.9 Gk Syr Vg: Heb many]
nor the aged who understand what is right.
10Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;
let me also declare my opinion.’
11“See, I waited for your words;[#Job 5.27]
I listened for your wise sayings
while you searched out what to say.
12I gave you my attention,
but there was, in fact, no one who confuted Job,
no one among you who answered his words.
13Yet do not say, ‘We have found wisdom;[#Jer 9.23]
God may vanquish him, not a human.’
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 am I to wait because they do not speak,
because they stand there and answer no more?
17I also will give my answer;
I also will declare my opinion.
18For I am full of words;[#Acts 18.5]
the spirit within me constrains me.
19My belly is indeed like wine that has no vent;[#Acts 9.17]
like new wineskins, it is ready to burst.
20I must speak, so that I may find relief;
I must open my lips and answer.
21I will not show partiality to any person[#Lev 19.15; Mt 22.16]
or use flattery toward anyone.
22For I do not know how to flatter—[#1 Thess 2.5]
or my Maker would soon put an end to me!