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these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram was angry with Job, because Job justified himself rather than God. 3 His anger was also stirred against his three friends, because they had found no answer, yet they had condemned Job.
4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5 But when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouths of these three men, his anger became angry.
6 So Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite said:
“I am young in years,
while you are old;
therefore I was timid and afraid,
and dared not reveal my opinion to you.
7 I thought, ‘Age should speak,
and the number of years should teach wisdom’.
8 But it is the spirit in man,
the breath of the Almighty,
that gives him understanding.
9 It is not only old men who are wise,
nor the aged who understand justice.
10 “Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me,
I also will declare my opinion’.
11Look, I waited for your words,
I gave ear to your reasoning,
while you searched out what to say.
12I gave you my close attention,
but none of you have proven Job to be in the wrong;
no one of you has refuted his arguments.
13 So do not say, ‘We have found wisdom;
God will deal with him, not man’.
14 But Job has not directed his words against me,
nor will I answer him with your speeches.
15 “They are dismayed and can no longer reply;
words have failed them.
16 Must I wait, now they remain silent,
while they merely stand around and no longer answer?
17 Now I also will have my say,
I also will tell my opinion.
18 For I am full of words,
and the spirit in me compels me.
19 My heart is like wine that has no vent,
it is like new wineskins about to burst.
20 I must speak so I may find relief;
I will open my lips and answer.
21 Let me not show anyone partiality,
nor let me flatter any man.
22 For I do not know how to flatter,
or my Maker would soon take me away.”