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. ^[a] 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.

 6 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.

 7 I thought, 'Age should speak;

       advanced years should teach wisdom.'

 8 But it is the spirit ^[b] in a man,

       the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding.

 9 It is not only the old ^[c] who are wise,

       not only the aged who understand what is right.

 10 "Therefore I say: Listen to me;

       I too will tell you what I know.

 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.

 13 Do not say, 'We have found wisdom;

       let God refute him, not man.'

 14 But Job has not marshaled his words against me,

       and I will not answer him with your arguments.

 15 "They are dismayed and have no more to say;

       words have failed them.

 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.

 18 For I am full of words,

       and the spirit within me compels me;

 19 inside I am like bottled-up wine,

       like new wineskins ready to burst.

 20 I must speak and find relief;

       I must open my lips and reply.

 21 I will show partiality to no one,

       nor will I flatter any man;

 22 for if I were skilled in flattery,

       my Maker would soon take me away.

Footnotes:

1. Job 32:3 Masoretic Text; an ancient Hebrew scribal tradition Job, and so had condemned God
2. Job 32:8 Or Spirit ; also in verse 18
3. Job 32:9 Or many ; or great