Job 32

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 These three men stopped arguing with Job, because he was convinced of his uprightness.	1 Then the three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
2 But Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the clan of Ram, became very angry. He fumed with rageagainst Job for thinking that he was right and God was wrong;	2 But the anger of Elihu, son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled. He was angry with Job for considering himself rather than God to be in the right.
3 and he was equal y angry with the three friends for giving up the argument and thus putting God in thewrong.	3 He was angry also with the three friends because they had not found a good answer and had not condemned Job.
4 While they and Job were talking, Elihu had waited, because they were older than he was;	4 But since these men were older than he, Elihu bided his time before addressing Job.
5 but when he saw that the three men had not another word to say in answer, his anger burst out.	5 When, however, Elihu saw that there was no reply in the mouths of the three men, his wrath was inflamed.
6 And Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite began to speak. He said: I am stil young, and you are old, so Iwas shy and hesitant to tel you what I know.	6 So Elihu, son of Barachel the Buzite, spoke out and said: I am young and you are very old; therefore I held back and was afraid to declare to you my knowledge.
7 I thought, 'Age ought to speak, advancing years wil convey wisdom.'	7 Days should speak, I thought, and many years teach wisdom!
8 There is, you see, a spirit residing in humanity, the breath of God conferring intelligence.	8 But it is a spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding.
9 Great age does not give wisdom, nor seniority fair judgement.	9 It is not those of many days who are wise, nor the aged who understand the right.
10 And so I ask you for a hearing; now it is my turn to tel what I know.	10 Therefore I say, hearken to me; let me too set forth my knowledge!
11 Up to now, I was hanging on your words, I paid attention to your arguments as each of you chose hiswords.	11 Behold, I have waited for your discourses, and have given ear to your arguments.
12 I paid very close attention; and I see that none of you has confounded Job, not one of you has refutedwhat he says.	12 Yes, I followed you attentively as you searched out what to say; And behold, there is none who has convicted Job, not one of you who could refute his statements.
13 So do not say, 'We have found wisdom; our teaching is divine and not human.'	13 Yet do not say, "We have met wisdom. God may vanquish him but not man!"
14 I am not going to follow the same line of argument; my reply to Job wil be couched in different terms.	14 For had he addressed his words to me, I should not then have answered him as you have done.
15 They are nonplussed for an answer, words have failed them.	15 They are dismayed, they make no more reply; words fail them.
16 I have been waiting. Since they do not speak, since they have given up the argument,	16 Must I wait? Now that they speak no more, and have ceased to make reply,
17 now I shal have my say, my turn has come to say what I know.	17 I too will speak my part; I also will show my knowledge!
18 For I am ful of words and forced to speak by a spirit within me;	18 For I am full of matters to utter; the spirit within me compels me.
19 within me, it feels like new wine seeking a vent, bursting out of new wine-skins.	19 Like a new wineskin with wine under pressure, my bosom is ready to burst.
20 To gain relief, I must speak, I must open my lips and reply.	20 Let me speak and obtain relief; let me open my lips, and make reply.
21 I shall not take anyone's side, I shall not flatter anyone.	21 I would not be partial to anyone, nor give flattering titles to any.
22 I do not know how to flatter -- or my Creator would make short work of me.	22 For I know nought of flattery; if I did, my Maker would soon take me away.