Job 32 · Clearspring

Elihu Rebukes Job’s Friends

¹So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.+ ²This kindled the anger of Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram. He burned with anger against Job for justifying himself rather than God,+ ³and he burned with anger against Job’s three friends because they had failed to refute Job, and yet had condemned him.+ ⁴Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the others were older than he.+ ⁵But when he saw that the three men had no further reply, his anger was kindled.+ ⁶So Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite declared: “I am young in years, while you are old; that is why I was timid and afraid to tell you what I know.+ ⁷I thought that age should speak, and many years should teach wisdom.+ ⁸But there is a spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding.+ ⁹It is not only the old who are wise, or the elderly who understand justice.+ ¹⁰Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; I too will declare what I know.’+ ¹¹Indeed, I waited while you spoke; I listened to your reasoning; as you searched for words,+ ¹²I paid you full attention. But no one proved Job wrong; not one of you rebutted his arguments.+ ¹³So do not claim, ‘We have found wisdom; let God, not man, refute him.’+ ¹⁴But Job has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your arguments.+ ¹⁵Job’s friends are dismayed, with no more to say; words have escaped them.+ ¹⁶Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand and no longer reply?+ ¹⁷I too will answer; yes, I will declare what I know.+ ¹⁸For I am full of words, and my spirit within me compels me.+ ¹⁹Behold, my belly is like unvented wine; it is about to burst like a new wineskin.+ ²⁰I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and respond.+ ²¹I will be partial to no one, nor will I flatter any man.+ ²²For I do not know how to flatter, or my Maker would remove me in an instant.’’+

Elihu Rebukes Job’s Friends

Study Job 32