Job 32:10-22

Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends

10 Therefore I say, 'Listen to me;
let me also declare my opinion.'

11 "Behold, I waited for your words,
I listened for your wise sayings,
while you searched out what to say.
12 I gave you my attention,
and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job
or who answered his words.
13 Beware e lest you say, 'We have found wisdom;
God may vanquish him, not a man.'
14 He has not directed his words against me,
and I will not answer him with your speeches.

15 "They are dismayed; they answer no more;
they have not a word to say.
16 And shall I wait, because they do not speak,
because they stand there, and answer no more?
17 I also will answer with my share;
I also will declare my opinion.
18 For I am full of words;
the spirit within me constrains me.
19 Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;
like new f wineskins ready to burst.
20 g I must speak, that I may find h relief;
I must open my lips and answer.
21 I will not i show partiality to any man
or use flattery toward any person.
22 For I do not know how to flatter,
else my Maker would soon take me away.

  1. Cross References
    Jeremiah 9:23
    Thus says the Lord : "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches.
  2. Cross References
    Matthew 9:17
    Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.
    Joshua 9:4
    They on their part acted with cunning and went and made ready provisions and took worn-out sacks for their donkeys, and wineskins, worn-out and torn and mended.
  3. Cross References
    Psalms 39:3
    My heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:
  4. Cross References
    1 Samuel 16:23
    And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.
  5. Cross References
    Leviticus 19:15
    You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.