Holman Christian Standard Bible | NET Bible |
1So these three men quit answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. | 1So these three men refused to answer Job further, because he was righteous in his own eyes. |
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. | 2Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry. He was angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God. |
3He was also angry at Job's three friends because they had failed to refute him and yet had condemned him. | 3With Job's three friends he was also angry, because they could not find an answer, and so declared Job guilty. |
4Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were all older than he. | 4Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job, because the others were older than he was. |
5But when he saw that the three men could not answer Job, he became angry. | 5But when Elihu saw that the three men had no further reply, he became very angry. |
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. | 6So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite spoke up: "I am young, but you are elderly; that is why I was fearful, and afraid to explain to you what I know. |
7I thought that age should speak and maturity should teach wisdom. | 7I said to myself, 'Age should speak, and length of years should make wisdom known.' |
8But it is a spirit in man and the breath of the Almighty that give him understanding. | 8But it is a spirit in people, the breath of the Almighty, that makes them understand. |
9It is not only the old who are wise or the elderly who understand how to judge. | 9It is not the aged who are wise, nor old men who understand what is right. |
10Therefore I say, "Listen to me. I too will declare what I know." | 10Therefore I say, 'Listen to me. I, even I, will explain what I know.' |
11Look, I waited for your conclusions; I listened to your insights as you sought for words. | 11Look, I waited for you to speak; I listened closely to your wise thoughts,while you were searching for words. |
12I paid close attention to you. Yet no one proved Job wrong; not one of you refuted his arguments. | 12Now I was paying you close attention, yet there was no one proving Job wrong, not one of you was answering his statements! |
13So do not claim, "We have found wisdom; let God deal with him, not man." | 13So do not say, 'We have found wisdom! God will refute him, not man!' |
14But Job has not directed his argument to me, and I will not respond to him with your arguments. | 14Job has not directed his words to me, and so I will not reply to him with your arguments. |
15Job's friends are dismayed and can no longer answer; words have left them. | 15"They are dismayed and cannot answer any more; they have nothing left to say. |
16Should I continue to wait now that they are silent, now that they stand there and no longer answer? | 16And I have waited. But because they do not speak, because they stand there and answer no more, |
17I too will answer; yes, I will tell what I know. | 17I too will answer my part, I too will explain what I know. |
18For I am full of words, and my spirit compels me to speak. | 18For I am full of words, and the spirit within me constrains me. |
19My heart is like unvented wine; it is about to burst like new wineskins. | 19Inside I am like wine which has no outlet, like new wineskins ready to burst! |
20I must speak so that I can find relief; I must open my lips and respond. | 20I will speak, so that I may find relief; I will open my lips, so that I may answer. |
21I will be partial to no one, and I will not give anyone an undeserved title. | 21I will not show partiality to anyone, nor will I confer a title on any man. |
22For I do not know how to give such titles; otherwise, my Maker would remove me in an instant. | 22for I do not know how to give honorary titles, if I did, my Creator would quickly do away with me. |
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