the Fourth Week of Advent
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Complete Jewish Bible
Job 32
1 So these three men stopped trying to answer Iyov, because he remained convinced of his own righteousness.
2 But then the anger of Elihu the son of Barakh'el the Buzi, from the family of Ram, blazed up against Iyov for thinking he was right and God wrong. 3 His anger also blazed up against his three friends, because they had found no answer to Iyov but condemned him anyway. 4 Elihu had waited to speak to Iyov because they were older than he; 5 however, when Elihu saw that these three had no answer, his anger flared up. 6 Elihu the son of Barakh'el the Buzi said:
"I am young, and you are old,
so I held back from telling you my opinion.
7 I said, ‘Age should speak;
an abundance of years should teach wisdom.'
8 But it is the spirit in a person, the breath from Shaddai,
that gives him understanding —
9 it isn't [only] the great who are wise
or the aged who know how to judge.
10 Therefore, I say, listen to me;
I too will express my opinion.
11 "Here, I waited for your words,
I listened to your reasoning,
as you were searching for what to say.
12 I paid attention to you,
but none of you convicted Iyov
or refuted his arguments.
13 So don't say, ‘We found the wise course —
Let God defeat him, not a human being.'
14 For he did not direct his words against me,
and I won't answer him with your arguments.
15 "They are confused, they don't reply,
words have failed them.
16 But must I wait just because they don't speak,
just because they stand there, stuck for an answer?
17 No, I will now give my answer;
I too will express my opinion.
18 For I am full of words;
the spirit within me compels me.
19 Yes, my insides feel like new wine under pressure,
like new wineskins ready to burst.
20 I must speak, to find relief;
I will open my lips and answer.
21 I will show no favor to anyone,
and I will flatter no one;
22 I don't know how to flatter;
if I did, my maker would soon put an end to me.
