1   So these three men gave up answering Job; for he continued to think himself righteous. 2   Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, grew angry; angry because Job had made himself out more righteous than God, ^note 3   and angry with the three friends because they had found no answer to Job and had let God appear wrong. ^note 4   Now Elihu had hung back while they were talking with Job because they were older than he; 5   but, when he saw that the three had no answer, he could no longer contain his anger. 6   So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite began to speak:

Speeches of Elihu

I am young in years,
and you are old;
that is why I held back and shrank
from displaying my knowledge in front of you.
7   I said to myself, ‘Let age speak,
and length of years expound wisdom.’
8   But the spirit of God himself ^note is in man,
and the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding;
9   it is not only the old who are wise
or the aged who understand what is right.
10   Therefore I say: Listen to me;
I too will display my knowledge.
11   Look, I have been waiting upon your words,
listening for the conclusions of your thoughts,
while you sought for phrases;
12   I have been giving thought to your conclusions,
but not one of you refutes Job or answers his arguments.
13   Take care then not to claim that you have found wisdom;
God will rebut him, not man.
14   I will not string ^note words together like you ^note
or answer him as you have done.


15   If these men are confounded and no longer answer,
if words fail them,
16   am I to wait because they do not speak,
because they stand there and no longer answer?
17   I, too, have a furrow to plough;
I will express my opinion;
18   for I am bursting with words,
a bellyful of wind gripes me.
19   My stomach is distended as if with wine,
bulging like a blacksmith's ^note bellows;
20   I must speak to find relief,
I must open my mouth and answer;
21   I will show no favour to anyone,
I will flatter no one, God or man; ^note
22   for I cannot use flattering titles,
or my Maker would soon do away with me.

Previous section

Next section