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Job 32
Easy-to-Read Version
Job 32
Easy-to-Read Version
Elihu Adds to the Argument
32 Then Job’s three friends gave up trying to answer him, because he was so sure that he was innocent. 2 But there was a young man there named Elihu son of Barakel. He was a descendant of a man named Buz. Elihu was from the family of Ram. He became very angry because Job kept saying he was innocent—that he was right and God was wrong. 3 Elihu was also angry with Job’s three friends because they could not answer him, and yet they still considered him guilty of doing wrong. 4 Elihu was the youngest one there, so he had waited until everyone finished talking. 5 But when he saw that Job’s three friends had nothing more to say, his anger forced him to speak. 6 So here’s what Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said:
“I am only a young man, and you are all older.
That is why I was afraid to tell you what I think.
7 I thought to myself, ‘Older people should speak first.
They have lived many years, so they have learned many things.’
8 But it is the spirit in people, the breath from God All-Powerful,
that makes them understand.
9 Old men are not the only wise people.
They are not the only ones who understand what is right.
10 “So please listen to me,
and I will tell you what I think.
11 I waited patiently while you men talked.
I listened to the answers you gave as you searched for the right words.
12 I listened carefully to what you said.
Not one of you proved Job wrong.
Not one of you answered his arguments.
13 You men cannot say that you have found wisdom.
The answer to Job’s arguments must come from God, not people.
14 Job was arguing with you, not me,
so I will not use your arguments to answer him.
15 “Job, these men lost the argument.
They don’t have anything more to say.
They don’t have any more answers.
16 I waited for them to answer you.
But now they are quiet.
They stand there with nothing more to say.
17 So now I will give you my answer.
Yes, I will tell you what I think.
18 I have so much to say
that I cannot hold it in.
19 I feel like a jar of wine that has never been opened.
I am like a new wineskin ready to burst.
20 I must speak so that I will feel better.
I must answer your arguments.
21 I will treat you the same as I would treat anyone else.
I will not praise you to win your favor.
22 I cannot treat one person better than another.
If I did, God my Maker would punish me!
Job 32
New International Version
Job 32
New International Version
Elihu
32 So these three men stopped answering Job,(A) because he was righteous in his own eyes.(B) 2 But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite,(C) of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself(D) rather than God.(E) 3 He was also angry with the three friends,(F) because they had found no way to refute Job,(G) and yet had condemned him.[a](H) 4 Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job because they were older than he.(I) 5 But when he saw that the three men had nothing more to say, his anger was aroused.
6 So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said:
“I am young in years,
and you are old;(J)
that is why I was fearful,
not daring to tell you what I know.
7 I thought, ‘Age should speak;
advanced years should teach wisdom.’(K)
8 But it is the spirit[b](L) in a person,
the breath of the Almighty,(M) that gives them understanding.(N)
9 It is not only the old[c] who are wise,(O)
not only the aged(P) who understand what is right.(Q)
10 “Therefore I say: Listen to me;(R)
I too will tell you what I know.(S)
11 I waited while you spoke,
I listened to your reasoning;
while you were searching for words,
12 I gave you my full attention.
But not one of you has proved Job wrong;
none of you has answered his arguments.(T)
13 Do not say, ‘We have found wisdom;(U)
let God, not a man, refute(V) him.’
14 But Job has not marshaled his words against me,(W)
and I will not answer him with your arguments.
15 “They are dismayed and have no more to say;
words have failed them.(X)
16 Must I wait, now that they are silent,
now that they stand there with no reply?
17 I too will have my say;
I too will tell what I know.(Y)
18 For I am full of words,
and the spirit(Z) within me compels me;(AA)
19 inside I am like bottled-up wine,
like new wineskins ready to burst.(AB)
20 I must speak and find relief;
I must open my lips and reply.(AC)
21 I will show no partiality,(AD)
nor will I flatter anyone;(AE)
22 for if I were skilled in flattery,
my Maker(AF) would soon take me away.(AG)
Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
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