Job 32 - Tree of Life Version Tree of Life Version
Job 32

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

² Then Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite of the clan of Ram became very angry. He was angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God.

³ He was also angry with his three friends because they had not found an answer, and yet had condemned Job.

⁴ Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older.

⁵ When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his anger was aroused.

⁶ Then Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite responded and said: “I am young in days and you are old; that is why I was timid and dared not to tell what I know.

⁷ I thought, ‘Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom.’

⁸ But there is a spirit in people, the breath of Shaddai that gives them understanding.

⁹ It is not only the aged who are wise or old men who understand justice.

¹⁰ “Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me! I, even I, will explain what I know.’

¹¹ Look, I waited for your words, I listened to your reasoning; while you were searching for words

¹² I gave you my full attention. But behold, no one proved Job wrong; none among you, answered his statements.

¹³ Lest you should say, ‘We have found wisdom; let God refute him, not man!’

¹⁴ Job has not directed his words to me and I will not respond to him with your arguments.

¹⁵ “They are dismayed and no longer reply; words have failed them.

¹⁶ Must I wait, since they no longer speak since they stand there with no reply?

¹⁷ I too will answer my part; I too will declare what I know.

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

¹⁹ inside I am like wine that has no opening, like new wineskins ready to burst.

²⁰ I must speak that I may find relief; I will open my lips that I may answer.

²¹ I will show partiality to no one, nor will I flatter anyone;

²² for I do not know how to flatter else my Maker would quickly carry me away!