1 So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God. 3 He was also angry with the three friends, because they had found no way to refute Job, and yet had condemned him. 1 4 Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job because they were older than he. 5 But when he saw that the three men had nothing more to say, his anger was aroused.
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So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said:
"I am young in years,
and you are old;
that is why I was fearful,
not daring to tell you what I know.
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I thought, 'Age should speak;
advanced years should teach wisdom.'
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But it is the spirit 2 in a person,
the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.
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It is not only the old 3 who are wise,
not only the aged who understand what is right.
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"Therefore I say: Listen to me;
I too will tell you what I know.
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I waited while you spoke,
I listened to your reasoning;
while you were searching for words,
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I gave you my full attention.
But not one of you has proved Job wrong;
none of you has answered his arguments.
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Do not say, 'We have found wisdom;
let God, not a man, refute him.'
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But Job has not marshaled his words against me,
and I will not answer him with your arguments.
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"They are dismayed and have no more to say;
words have failed them.
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Must I wait, now that they are silent,
now that they stand there with no reply?
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I too will have my say;
I too will tell what I know.
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For I am full of words,
and the spirit within me compels me;
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inside I am like bottled-up wine,
like new wineskins ready to burst.
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I must speak and find relief;
I must open my lips and reply.
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I will show no partiality,
nor will I flatter anyone;
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for if I were skilled in flattery,
my Maker would soon take me away.