Holman Christian Standard Bible | New Living Translation |
1So these three men quit answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. | 1Job’s three friends refused to reply further to him because he kept insisting on his innocence. |
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 clan of Ram, became angry. He was angry because Job refused to admit that he had sinned and that God was right in punishing him. |
3He was also angry at Job's three friends because they had failed to refute him and yet had condemned him. | 3He was also angry with Job’s three friends, for they made God appear to be wrong by their inability to answer Job’s arguments. |
4Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were all older than he. | 4Elihu had waited for the others to speak to Job because they were older than he. |
5But when he saw that the three men could not answer Job, he became angry. | 5But when he saw that they had no further reply, he spoke out angrily. |
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. | 6Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said, “I am young and you are old, so I held back from telling you what I think. |
7I thought that age should speak and maturity should teach wisdom. | 7I thought, ‘Those who are older should speak, for wisdom comes with age.’ |
8But it is a spirit in man and the breath of the Almighty that give him understanding. | 8But there is a spirit within people, the breath of the Almighty within them, that makes them intelligent. |
9It is not only the old who are wise or the elderly who understand how to judge. | 9Sometimes the elders are not wise. Sometimes the aged do not understand justice. |
10Therefore I say, "Listen to me. I too will declare what I know." | 10So listen to me, and let me tell you what I think. |
11Look, I waited for your conclusions; I listened to your insights as you sought for words. | 11“I have waited all this time, listening very carefully to your arguments, listening to you grope for words. |
12I paid close attention to you. Yet no one proved Job wrong; not one of you refuted his arguments. | 12I have listened, but not one of you has refuted Job or answered his arguments. |
13So do not claim, "We have found wisdom; let God deal with him, not man." | 13And don’t tell me, ‘He is too wise for us. Only God can convince him.’ |
14But Job has not directed his argument to me, and I will not respond to him with your arguments. | 14If Job had been arguing with me, I would not answer with your kind of logic! |
15Job's friends are dismayed and can no longer answer; words have left them. | 15You sit there baffled, with nothing more to say. |
16Should I continue to wait now that they are silent, now that they stand there and no longer answer? | 16Should I continue to wait, now that you are silent? Must I also remain silent? |
17I too will answer; yes, I will tell what I know. | 17No, I will say my piece. I will speak my mind. |
18For I am full of words, and my spirit compels me to speak. | 18For I am full of pent-up words, and the spirit within me urges me on. |
19My heart is like unvented wine; it is about to burst like new wineskins. | 19I am like a cask of wine without a vent, like a new wineskin ready to burst! |
20I must speak so that I can find relief; I must open my lips and respond. | 20I must speak to find relief, so let me give my answers. |
21I will be partial to no one, and I will not give anyone an undeserved title. | 21I won’t play favorites or try to flatter anyone. |
22For I do not know how to give such titles; otherwise, my Maker would remove me in an instant. | 22For if I tried flattery, my Creator would soon destroy me. |
Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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