1 So these three men quit answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
2 Then Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite from the family of Ram became angry. He was angry at Job because he had justified himself rather than God.
3 He was also angry at Job’s three friends because they had failed to refute him and yet had condemned him.
4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were all older than he.
5 But when he saw that the three men could not answer Job, he became angry.
6 So Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite replied:I am young in years,while you are old;therefore I was timid and afraidto tell you what I know.
7 I thought that age should speakand maturity should teach wisdom.
8 But it is a spirit in man and the breath of the Almightythat give him understanding.
9 It is not only the old who are wiseor the elderly who understand how to judge.
10 Therefore I say, “Listen to me.I too will declare what I know.”
11 Look, I waited for your conclusions;I listened to your insightsas you sought for words.
12 I paid close attention to you.Yet no one proved Job wrong;not one of you refuted his arguments.
13 So do not claim, “We have found wisdom;let God deal with him, not man.”
14 But Job has not directed his argument to me,and I will not respond to him with your arguments.
15 Job’s friends are dismayed and can no longer answer;words have left them.
16 Should I continue to wait now that they are silent,now that they stand there and no longer answer?
17 I too will answer; yes, I will tell what I know.
18 For I am full of words,and my spirit compels me to speak.
19 My heart is like unvented wine;it is about to burst like new wineskins.
20 I must speak so that I can find relief;I must open my lips and respond.
21 I will be partial to no one, and I will not give anyone an undeserved title.
22 For I do not know how to give such titles;otherwise, my Maker would remove me in an instant.