Elihu Rebukes Job’s Friends 1 RV So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. BSB BSB: So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
2 RV Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God. BSB BSB: This 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,
3 RV Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. BSB BSB: and he burned with anger against Job’s three friends because they had failed to refute Job, and yet had condemned him.
4 RV Now Elihu had waited to speak unto Job, because they were elder than he. BSB BSB: Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the others were older than he.
5 RV And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled. BSB BSB: But when he saw that the three men had no further reply, his anger was kindled.
6 RV And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I held back, and durst not shew you mine opinion. BSB BSB: So 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.
7 RV I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom. BSB BSB: I thought that age should speak, and many years should teach wisdom.
8 RV But there is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty giveth them understanding. BSB BSB: But there is a spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding.
9 RV It is not the great that are wise, nor the aged that understand judgment. BSB BSB: It is not only the old who are wise, or the elderly who understand justice.
10 RV Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion. BSB BSB: Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; I too will declare what I know.’
11 RV Behold, I waited for your words, I listened for your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say. BSB BSB: Indeed, I waited while you spoke; I listened to your reasoning; as you searched for words,
12 RV Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none that convinced Job, or that answered his words, among you. BSB BSB: I paid you full attention. But no one proved Job wrong; not one of you rebutted his arguments.
13 RV Beware lest ye say, We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not man: BSB BSB: So do not claim, ‘We have found wisdom; let God, not man, refute him.’
14 RV For he hath not directed his words against me; neither will I answer him with your speeches. BSB BSB: But Job has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your arguments.
15 RV They are amazed, they answer no more: they have not a word to say. BSB BSB: Job’s friends are dismayed, with no more to say; words have escaped them.
16 RV And shall I wait, because they speak not, because they stand still, and answer no more? BSB BSB: Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand and no longer reply?
17 RV I also will answer my part, I also will shew mine opinion. BSB BSB: I too will answer; yes, I will declare what I know.
18 RV For I am full of words; the spirit within me constraineth me. BSB BSB: For I am full of words, and my spirit within me compels me.
19 RV Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; like new bottles it is ready to burst. BSB BSB: Behold, my belly is like unvented wine; it is about to burst like a new wineskin.
20 RV I will speak, that I may be refreshed; I will open my lips and answer. BSB BSB: I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and respond.
21 RV Let me not, I pray you, respect any man’s person; neither will I give flattering titles unto any man. BSB BSB: I will be partial to no one, nor will I flatter any man.
22 RV For I know not to give flattering titles; else would my Maker soon take me away. BSB BSB: For I do not know how to flatter, or my Maker would remove me in an instant.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.