32 2 Elihu reproveth them of folly. 8 Age maketh not a man wise, but the spirit of God.
1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he [a]esteemed himself just.
2 Then the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the [b]Buzite, of the family of [c]Ram, was kindled: his wrath, I say, was kindled against Job, because he justified himself [d]more than God.
3 Also his anger was kindled against his three friends, because they could not find an answer, and yet condemned Job.
4 (Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken: for [e]they were more ancient in years than he.)
5 So when Elihu saw, that there was none answer in the mouth of the three men, his wrath was kindled.
6 Therefore Elihu the son of Barachel, the Buzite answered and said, I am young in years, and ye are ancient: therefore I doubted, and was afraid to show you mine opinion.
7 For I said, The days [f]shall speak, and the multitude of years shall teach wisdom.
8 Surely there is a spirit in man, [g]but the inspiration of the Almighty giveth understanding.
9 Great men are not always wise, neither do the aged always understand judgment.
10 Therefore I say, Hear me and I will show also mine opinion.
11 Behold, I did wait upon your words, and hearkened unto your knowledge, while you sought out [h]reasons.
12 Yea, when I had considered you, lo, there was none of you that reproved Job, nor answered his words:
13 Lest ye should say, We have [i]found wisdom: for God hath cast him down, and no man.
14 Yet hath [j]he not directed his words to me, neither will I answer [k]him by your words.
15 Then they fearing, answered no more, but left off their talk.
16 When I had waited (for they spake not, but stood still and answered no more)
17 Then answered I in my turn, and I showed mine opinion.
18 For I am full of [l]matter, and the spirit within me compelleth me.
19 Behold, my belly is as the wine, which hath no vent, and like the new bottles that burst.
20 Therefore will I speak, that I may take breath: I will open my lips, and will answer.
21 I will not now accept the person of man, [m]neither will I give titles to man.
22 For I may not give [n]titles, lest my Maker should take me away suddenly.
Footnotes
- Job 32:1 Hebrew, was just in his own eyes.
- Job 32:2 Which came of Buz, the son of Nahor, Abraham’s brother.
- Job 32:2 Or, as the Chaldean paraphrase readeth, Abram.
- Job 32:2 By making himself innocent, and by charging God of rigor.
- Job 32:4 That is, the three mentioned before.
- Job 32:7 Meaning, the ancient, which have experience.
- Job 32:8 It is a special gift of God that man hath understanding, and cometh neither of nature nor by age.
- Job 32:11 To prove that Job’s affliction came for his sins.
- Job 32:13 And flatter yourselves, as though you had overcome him.
- Job 32:14 To wit, Job.
- Job 32:14 He useth almost the like arguments, but without taunting and reproaches.
- Job 32:18 I have conceived in my mind great store of reasons.
- Job 32:21 I will neither have regard to riches, credit, nor authority, but will speak the very truth.
- Job 32:22 The Hebrew word signifieth, to change the name, as to call a fool a wise man: meaning, that he would not cloak the truth to flatter men.