| English Standard Version | Christian Standard Bible |
| 1So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. | 1So these three men quit answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. |
| 2Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. | 2Then Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite from the family of Ram became angry. He was angry at Job because he had justified himself rather than God. |
| 3He burned with anger also at Job’s three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. | 3He was also angry at Job's three friends because they had failed to refute him and yet had condemned him. |
| 4Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. | 4Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were all older than he. |
| 5And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger. | 5But when he saw that the three men could not answer Job, he became angry. |
| 6And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said: “I am young in years, and you are aged; therefore I was timid and afraid to declare my opinion to you. | 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 said, ‘Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom.’ | 7I thought that age should speak and maturity should teach wisdom. |
| 8But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand. | 8But it is the spirit in a person--the breath from the Almighty--that gives anyone understanding. |
| 9It is not the old who are wise, nor the aged who understand what is right. | 9It is not only the old who are wise or the elderly who understand how to judge. |
| 10Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; let me also declare my opinion.’ | 10Therefore I say, "Listen to me. I too will declare what I know." |
| 11“Behold, I waited for your words, I listened for your wise sayings, while you searched out what to say. | 11Look, I waited for your conclusions; I listened to your insights as you sought for words. |
| 12I gave you my attention, and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job or who answered his words. | 12I paid close attention to you. Yet no one proved Job wrong; not one of you refuted his arguments. |
| 13Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not a man.’ | 13So do not claim, "We have found wisdom; let God deal with him, not man." |
| 14He has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your speeches. | 14But Job has not directed his argument to me, and I will not respond to him with your arguments. |
| 15“They are dismayed; they answer no more; they have not a word to say. | 15Job's friends are dismayed and can no longer answer; words have left them. |
| 16And shall I wait, because they do not speak, because they stand there, and answer no more? | 16Should I continue to wait now that they are silent, now that they stand there and no longer answer? |
| 17I also will answer with my share; I also will declare my opinion. | 17I too will answer; yes, I will tell what I know. |
| 18For I am full of words; the spirit within me constrains me. | 18For I am full of words, and my spirit compels me to speak. |
| 19Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent; like new wineskins ready to burst. | 19My heart is like unvented wine; it is about to burst like new wineskins. |
| 20I must speak, that I may find relief; I must open my lips and answer. | 20I must speak so that I can find relief; I must open my lips and respond. |
| 21I will not show partiality to any man or use flattery toward any person. | 21I will be partial to no one, and I will not give anyone an undeserved title. |
| 22For I do not know how to flatter, else my Maker would soon take me away. | 22For I do not know how to give such titles; otherwise, my Maker would remove me in an instant. |
| ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved. | The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. |
|
    |