the Week of Proper 26 / Ordinary 31
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English Standard Version
Job 32
Elihu Rebukes Job's Three Friends
1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was (a)righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu the son of Barachel (b)the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself (c)rather than God. 3 He burned with anger also at Job's three friends because they had found no answer, although they had (d)declared Job to be in the wrong. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger.
6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:
"I am young in years,
and you are (e)aged;
therefore I was timid and afraid
to declare my opinion to you.
7 I said, ‘Let days speak,
and many years teach wisdom.'
8 But it is (f)the spirit in man,
(g)the breath of the Almighty, that makes him (h)understand.
9 (i)It is not the old[a] who are wise,
nor the aged who understand what is right.
10 Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;
let me also declare my opinion.'
11 "Behold, I waited for your words,
I listened for your wise sayings,
while you searched out what to say.
12 I gave you my attention,
and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job
or who answered his words.
13 Beware (j)lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom;
God may vanquish him, not a man.'
14 He has not directed his words against me,
and I will not answer him with your speeches.
15 "They are dismayed; they answer no more;
they have not a word to say.
16 And shall I wait, because they do not speak,
because they stand there, and answer no more?
17 I also will answer with my share;
I also will declare my opinion.
18 For I am full of words;
the spirit within me constrains me.
19 Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;
like new (k)wineskins ready to burst.
20 (l)I must speak, that I may find (m)relief;
I must open my lips and answer.
21 I will not (n)show partiality to any man
or use flattery toward any person.
22 For I do not know how to flatter,
else my Maker would soon take me away.
English Standard Version
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®). ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
