Elihu’s Angry Response
1 So these three men quit answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.(A)
2 Then Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite(B) from the family of Ram became angry. He was angry at Job because he had justified(C) 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.(a)
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:
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I thought that age should speak
and maturity should teach wisdom.
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9 and maturity should teach wisdom.
It is not only the old who are wise
or the elderly who understand how to judge.
10 or the elderly who understand how to judge.
Therefore I say, “Listen to me.
I too will declare what I know.”
11 I too will declare what I know.”
Look, I waited for your conclusions;
I listened to your insights
as you sought for words.
12 I listened to your insights
as you sought for words.
I paid close attention to you.
Yet no one proved Job wrong;
not one of you refuted his arguments.
13 Yet no one proved Job wrong;
not one of you refuted his arguments.
So do not claim, “We have found wisdom;
let God deal with him, not man.”
14 let God deal with him, not man.”
But Job has not directed his argument to me,
and I will not respond to him with your arguments.
and I will not respond to him with your arguments.
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Job’s friends are dismayed and can no longer answer;
words have left them.
16 words have left them.
Should I continue to wait now that they are silent,
now that they stand there and no longer answer?
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20 now that they stand there and no longer answer?
I must speak so that I can find relief;
I must open my lips and respond.
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22 I must open my lips and respond.
For I do not know how to give such titles;
otherwise, my Maker would remove me in an instant.
otherwise, my Maker would remove me in an instant.