Introduction of Elihu

¹ These three men stopped answering Job because he thought he was righteous.

² Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite from the clan of Ram was angry, angry with Job because he considered himself more righteous than God.

³ He was also angry with his three friends because they hadn’t found an answer but nevertheless thought Job wicked.

⁴ Elihu had waited while Job spoke, for they were older than he.

Elihu’s justification for speaking

⁵ When Elihu saw that there had been no response in the speeches of the three men, he became very angry.

⁶ Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite said: I’m young and you’re old, so I held back, afraid to express my opinion to you.

⁷ I thought, Let days speak; let multiple years make wisdom known.

⁸ But the spirit in a person, the Almighty’s breath, gives understanding.

⁹ The advanced in days aren’t wise; the old don’t understand what’s right.

¹⁰ Therefore, I say: “Listen to me; I’ll state my view, even I.”

¹¹ Look, I waited while you spoke, listened while you reasoned, while you searched for words.

¹² I was attentive to you, but you offered no rebuke to Job, no answer from you for his words.

¹³ Be careful you don’t say, “We’ve found wisdom; God, not a person, will defeat him.”

¹⁴ Now Job hasn’t addressed me, and I won’t quote you to him.

¹⁵ They are troubled, no longer answer; words now escape them.

¹⁶ I waited, but they didn’t speak, for they stood but answered no more.

¹⁷ I will answer. Indeed, I will state my piece; I too will declare my view,

¹⁸ for I’m full of words. The spirit in my belly compels me.

¹⁹ Look, my belly is like unopened wine; like new wineskins it will burst.

²⁰ I will speak and get relief; I will open my lips and respond.

²¹ I won’t be partial to anyone, won’t flatter a person;

²² for I don’t know flattery; otherwise my maker would quickly whisk me away.