[1] Because Job was convinced of his own innocence, the three men gave up trying to answer him. [2] But a bystander named Elihu could not control his anger any longer, because Job was justifying himself and blaming God. (Elihu was the son of Barakel, a descendant of Buz, and belonged to the clan of Ram.) [3] He was also angry with Job's three friends. They could not find any way to answer Job, and this made it appear that God was in the wrong. [4] Because Elihu was the youngest one there, he had waited until everyone finished speaking. [5] When he saw that the three men could not answer Job, he was angry [6] and began to speak. I am young, and you are old, so I was afraid to tell you what I think. [7] I told myself that you ought to speak, that you older men should share your wisdom. [8] But it is the spirit of Almighty God that comes to us and gives us wisdom. [9] It is not growing old that makes us wise or helps us to know what is right. [10] So now I want you to listen to me; let me tell you what I think. [11] I listened patiently while you were speaking and waited while you searched for wise phrases. [12] I paid close attention and heard you fail; you have not disproved what Job has said. [13] How can you claim you have discovered wisdom? God must answer Job, for you have failed. [14] Job was speaking to you, not to me, but I would never answer the way you did. [15] Words have failed them, Job; they have no answer for you. [16] Shall I go on waiting when they are silent? They stand there with nothing more to say. [17] No, I will give my own answer now and tell you what I think. [18] I can hardly wait to speak. I can't hold back the words. [19] If I don't get a chance to speak, I will burst like a wineskin full of new wine. [20] I can't stand it; I have to speak. [21] I will not take sides in this debate; I am not going to flatter anyone. [22] I don't know how to flatter, and God would quickly punish me if I did.
