Elihu Rebukes Job’s Friends 1 WBS 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 WBS Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred 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 WBS 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 WBS Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken because they were older than he. BSB BSB: Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because the others were older than he.
5 WBS When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled. BSB BSB: But when he saw that the three men had no further reply, his anger was kindled.
6 WBS And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not show you my 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 WBS 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 WBS But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration 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 WBS Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment. BSB BSB: It is not only the old who are wise, or the elderly who understand justice.
10 WBS Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will show my opinion. BSB BSB: Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; I too will declare what I know.’
11 WBS Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to 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 WBS Yes, I attended to you, and behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words: BSB BSB: I paid you full attention. But no one proved Job wrong; not one of you rebutted his arguments.
13 WBS Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man. BSB BSB: So do not claim, ‘We have found wisdom; let God, not man, refute him.’
14 WBS Now 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 WBS They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking. BSB BSB: Job’s friends are dismayed, with no more to say; words have escaped them.
16 WBS When I had waited, (for they spoke not, but stood still, and answered no more;) BSB BSB: Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand and no longer reply?
17 WBS I said , I will answer also my part, I also will show my opinion.BSB BSB: I too will answer; yes, I will declare what I know.
18 WBS For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me. BSB BSB: For I am full of words, and my spirit within me compels me.
19 WBS Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles. BSB BSB: Behold, my belly is like unvented wine; it is about to burst like a new wineskin.
20 WBS 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 WBS Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles to man. BSB BSB: I will be partial to no one, nor will I flatter any man.
22 WBS For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing , my Maker would 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.