Elihu Rebukes Job in Anger

1Then these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2But the anger of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned against Job; his anger burned because he justified himself [a]before God. 3And his anger burned against his three friends because they had found no answer, yet they had condemned Job. 4Now Elihu had waited [b]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.

6So Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite [c]spoke out and said,

“I am young in years and you are old;

Therefore I was shy and afraid to tell you [d]what I think.

7“I [e]thought [f]age should speak,

And [g]increased years should teach wisdom.

8“But it is a spirit that is in mankind,

And the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding.

9“The [h]abundant in years may not be wise,

Nor may elders understand justice.

10“So I [i]say, ‘Listen to me,

I too will tell [j]what I think.’

11“Behold, I waited for your words,

I listened to your skillful speech,

While you [k]pondered what to say.

12“I also paid close attention to you;

But [l]indeed, there was no one who refuted Job,

Not one of you who answered his words.

13“So do not say,

‘We have found wisdom:

God will [m]defeat him, not man.’

14“But he has not presented his words against me,

Nor will I reply to him with your [n]arguments.

15“They are dismayed, they no longer answer;

Words have [o]failed them.

16“Should I wait, because they are not speaking,

Because they have [p]stopped and no longer answer?

17“I too will [q]give my share of answers;

I also will tell my opinion.

18“For I am full of words;

The spirit within me compels me.

19“Behold, my belly is like unvented wine;

Like new wineskins, it is about to burst.

20“Let me speak so that I may get relief;

Let me open my lips and answer.

21“Let me be partial to no one,

Nor flatter any man.

22“For I do not know how to flatter,

Otherwise my Maker would quickly take me away.