Job.30.1

"But no longer. Now I'm the butt of their jokes--young ruffians! whippersnappers!

Job.30.1

"But now they mock me, men younger than I, whose fathers I would have disdained to put with my sheep dogs.

Job.30.1

"But now they mock at me, men younger than I, Whose fathers I disdained to put with the dogs of my flock.

Job.30.1

"But now I am mocked by those who are younger than I, by young men whose fathers are not worthy to run with my sheepdogs.

Job.30.2

Why, I considered their fathers mere inexperienced pups. But they are worse than dogs--good for nothing, stray, mangy animals,

Job.30.2

Of what use was the strength of their hands to me, since their vigor had gone from them?

Job.30.2

Indeed, what profit is the strength of their hands to me? Their vigor has perished.

Job.30.2

A lot of good they are to me--those worn-out wretches!

Job.30.3

Half-starved, scavenging the back alleys, howling at the moon;

Job.30.3

Haggard from want and hunger, they roamed the parched land in desolate wastelands at night.

Job.30.3

They are gaunt from want and famine, Fleeing late to the wilderness, desolate and waste,

Job.30.3

They are gaunt with hunger and flee to the deserts and the wastelands, desolate and gloomy.

Job.30.4

Homeless guttersnipes chewing on old bones and licking old tin cans;

Job.30.4

In the brush they gathered salt herbs, and their food was the root of the broom tree.

Job.30.4

Who pluck mallow by the bushes, And broom tree roots for their food.

Job.30.4

They eat coarse leaves, and they burn the roots of shrubs for heat.

Job.30.5

Outcasts from the community, cursed as dangerous delinquents.

Job.30.5

They were banished from their fellow men, shouted at as if they were thieves.

Job.30.5

They were driven out from among men, They shouted at them as at a thief.

Job.30.5

They are driven from civilization, and people shout after them as if they were thieves.

Job.30.6

Nobody would put up with them; they were driven from the neighborhood.

Job.30.6

They were forced to live in the dry stream beds, among the rocks and in holes in the ground.

Job.30.6

They had to live in the clefts of the valleys, In caves of the earth and the rocks.

Job.30.6

So now they live in frightening ravines and in caves and among the rocks.

Job.30.7

You could hear them out there at the edge of town, yelping and barking, huddled in junkyards,

Job.30.7

They brayed among the bushes and huddled in the undergrowth.

Job.30.7

Among the bushes they brayed, Under the nettles they nestled.

Job.30.7

They sound like animals as they howl among the bushes; they huddle together for shelter beneath the nettles.

Job.30.8

A gang of beggars and no-names, thrown out on their ears.

Job.30.8

A base and nameless brood, they were driven out of the land.

Job.30.8

They were sons of fools, Yes, sons of vile men; They were scourged from the land.

Job.30.8

They are nameless fools, outcasts of civilization.

Job.30.9

"But now I'm the one they're after, mistreating me, taunting and mocking.

Job.30.9

"And now their sons mock me in song; I have become a byword among them.

Job.30.9

"And now I am their taunting song; Yes, I am their byword.

Job.30.9

"And now their sons mock me with their vulgar song! They taunt me!

Job.30.10

They abhor me, they abuse me. How dare those scoundrels--they spit in my face!

Job.30.10

They detest me and keep their distance; they do not hesitate to spit in my face.

Job.30.10

They abhor me, they keep far from me; They do not hesitate to spit in my face.

Job.30.10

They despise me and won't come near me, except to spit in my face.

Job.30.11

Now that God has undone me and left me in a heap, they hold nothing back. Anything goes.

Job.30.11

Now that God has unstrung my bow and afflicted me, they throw off restraint in my presence.

Job.30.11

Because He has loosed my bowstring and afflicted me, They have cast off restraint before me.

Job.30.11

For God has cut the cords of my tent. He has humbled me, so they have thrown off all restraint.

Job.30.12

They come at me from my blind side, trip me up, then jump on me while I'm down.

Job.30.12

On my right the tribe attacks; they lay snares for my feet, they build their siege ramps against me.

Job.30.12

At my right hand the rabble arises; They push away my feet, And they raise against me their ways of destruction.

Job.30.12

These outcasts oppose me to my face. They send me sprawling; they lay traps in my path.

Job.30.13

They throw every kind of obstacle in my path, determined to ruin me--and no one lifts a finger to help me!

Job.30.13

They break up my road; they succeed in destroying me- without anyone's helping them.

Job.30.13

They break up my path, They promote my calamity; They have no helper.

Job.30.13

They block my road and do everything they can to hasten my calamity, knowing full well that I have no one to help me.

Job.30.14

They violate my broken body, trample through the rubble of my ruined life.

Job.30.14

They advance as through a gaping breach; amid the ruins they come rolling in.

Job.30.14

They come as broad breakers; Under the ruinous storm they roll along.

Job.30.14

They come at me from all directions. They rush upon me when I am down.

Job.30.15

Terrors assault me--my dignity in shreds, salvation up in smoke.

Job.30.15

Terrors overwhelm me; my dignity is driven away as by the wind, my safety vanishes like a cloud.

Job.30.15

Terrors are turned upon me; They pursue my honor as the wind, And my prosperity has passed like a cloud.

Job.30.15

I live in terror now. They hold me in contempt, and my prosperity has vanished as a cloud before a strong wind.

Job.30.16

"And now my life drains out, as suffering seizes and grips me hard.

Job.30.16

"And now my life ebbs away; days of suffering grip me.

Job.30.16

"And now my soul is poured out because of my plight; The days of affliction take hold of me.

Job.30.16

"And now my heart is broken. Depression haunts my days.

Job.30.17

Night gnaws at my bones; the pain never lets up.

Job.30.17

Night pierces my bones; my gnawing pains never rest.

Job.30.17

My bones are pierced in me at night, And my gnawing pains take no rest.

Job.30.17

My weary nights are filled with pain as though something were relentlessly gnawing at my bones.

Job.30.18

I am tied hand and foot, my neck in a noose. I twist and turn.

Job.30.18

In his great power God becomes like clothing to me; he binds me like the neck of my garment.

Job.30.18

By great force my garment is disfigured; It binds me about as the collar of my coat.

Job.30.18

With a strong hand, God grabs my garment. He grips me by the collar of my tunic.

Job.30.19

Thrown facedown in the muck, I'm a muddy mess, inside and out.

Job.30.19

He throws me into the mud, and I am reduced to dust and ashes.

Job.30.19

He has cast me into the mire, And I have become like dust and ashes.

Job.30.19

He has thrown me into the mud. I have become as dust and ashes.

Job.30.20

"I shout for help, God, and get nothing, no answer! I stand to face you in protest, and you give me a blank stare!

Job.30.20

"I cry out to you, O God, but you do not answer; I stand up, but you merely look at me.

Job.30.20

"I cry out to You, but You do not answer me; I stand up, and You regard me.

Job.30.20

"I cry to you, O God, but you don't answer me. I stand before you, and you don't bother to look.

Job.30.21

You've turned into my tormenter--you slap me around, knock me about.

Job.30.21

You turn on me ruthlessly; with the might of your hand you attack me.

Job.30.21

But You have become cruel to me; With the strength of Your hand You oppose me.

Job.30.21

You have become cruel toward me. You persecute me with your great power.

Job.30.22

You raised me up so I was riding high and then dropped me, and I crashed.

Job.30.22

You snatch me up and drive me before the wind; you toss me about in the storm.

Job.30.22

You lift me up to the wind and cause me to ride on it; You spoil my success.

Job.30.22

You throw me into the whirlwind and destroy me in the storm.

Job.30.23

I know you're determined to kill me, to put me six feet under.

Job.30.23

I know you will bring me down to death, to the place appointed for all the living.

Job.30.23

For I know that You will bring me to death, And to the house appointed for all living.

Job.30.23

And I know that you are sending me to my death--the destination of all who live.

Job.30.24

"What did I do to deserve this? Did I ever hit anyone who was calling for help?

Job.30.24

"Surely no one lays a hand on a broken man when he cries for help in his distress.

Job.30.24

"Surely He would not stretch out His hand against a heap of ruins, If they cry out when He destroys it.

Job.30.24

"Surely no one would turn against the needy when they cry for help.

Job.30.25

Haven't I wept for those who live a hard life, been heartsick over the lot of the poor?

Job.30.25

Have I not wept for those in trouble? Has not my soul grieved for the poor?

Job.30.25

Have I not wept for him who was in trouble? Has not my soul grieved for the poor?

Job.30.25

Did I not weep for those in trouble? Was I not deeply grieved for the needy?

Job.30.26

But where did it get me? I expected good but evil showed up. I looked for light but darkness fell.

Job.30.26

Yet when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, then came darkness.

Job.30.26

But when I looked for good, evil came to me; And when I waited for light, then came darkness.

Job.30.26

So I looked for good, but evil came instead. I waited for the light, but darkness fell.

Job.30.27

My stomach's in a constant churning, never settles down. Each day confronts me with more suffering.

Job.30.27

The churning inside me never stops; days of suffering confront me.

Job.30.27

My heart is in turmoil and cannot rest; Days of affliction confront me.

Job.30.27

My heart is troubled and restless. Days of affliction have come upon me.

Job.30.28

I walk under a black cloud. The sun is gone. I stand in the congregation and protest.

Job.30.28

I go about blackened, but not by the sun; I stand up in the assembly and cry for help.

Job.30.28

I go about mourning, but not in the sun; I stand up in the assembly and cry out for help.

Job.30.28

I walk in gloom, without sunlight. I stand in the public square and cry for help.

Job.30.29

I howl with the jackals, I hoot with the owls.

Job.30.29

I have become a brother of jackals, a companion of owls.

Job.30.29

I am a brother of jackals, And a companion of ostriches.

Job.30.29

But instead, I am considered a brother to jackals and a companion to ostriches.

Job.30.30

I'm black and blue all over, burning up with fever.

Job.30.30

My skin grows black and peels; my body burns with fever.

Job.30.30

My skin grows black and falls from me; My bones burn with fever.

Job.30.30

My skin has turned dark, and my bones burn with fever.

Job.30.31

My fiddle plays nothing but the blues; my mouth harp wails laments.

Job.30.31

My harp is tuned to mourning, and my flute to the sound of wailing.

Job.30.31

My harp is turned to mourning, And my flute to the voice of those who weep.

Job.30.31

My harp plays sad music, and my flute accompanies those who weep.

Job.31.1

"I made a solemn pact with myself never to undress a girl with my eyes.

Job.31.1

"I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl.

Job.31.1

"I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman?

Job.31.1

"I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust upon a young woman.

Job.31.2

So what can I expect from God? What do I deserve from God Almighty above?

Job.31.2

For what is man's lot from God above, his heritage from the Almighty on high?

Job.31.2

For what is the allotment of God from above, And the inheritance of the Almighty from on high?

Job.31.2

What has God above chosen for us? What is our inheritance from the Almighty on high?

Job.31.3

Isn't calamity reserved for the wicked? Isn't disaster supposed to strike those who do wrong?

Job.31.3

Is it not ruin for the wicked, disaster for those who do wrong?

Job.31.3

Is it not destruction for the wicked, And disaster for the workers of iniquity?

Job.31.3

It is calamity for the wicked, misfortune for those who do evil.

Job.31.4

Isn't God looking, observing how I live? Doesn't he mark every step I take?

Job.31.4

Does he not see my ways and count my every step?

Job.31.4

Does He not see my ways, And count all my steps?

Job.31.4

He sees everything I do and every step I take.

Job.31.5

"Have I walked hand in hand with falsehood, or hung out in the company of deceit?

Job.31.5

"If I have walked in falsehood or my foot has hurried after deceit-

Job.31.5

"If I have walked with falsehood, Or if my foot has hastened to deceit,

Job.31.5

"Have I lied to anyone or deceived anyone?

Job.31.6

Weigh me on a set of honest scales so God has proof of my integrity.

Job.31.6

let God weigh me in honest scales and he will know that I am blameless-

Job.31.6

Let me be weighed on honest scales, That God may know my integrity.

Job.31.6

Let God judge me on the scales of justice, for he knows my integrity.

Job.31.7

If I've strayed off the straight and narrow, wanted things I had no right to, messed around with sin,

Job.31.7

if my steps have turned from the path, if my heart has been led by my eyes, or if my hands have been defiled,

Job.31.7

If my step has turned from the way, Or my heart walked after my eyes, Or if any spot adheres to my hands,

Job.31.7

If I have strayed from his pathway, or if my heart has lusted for what my eyes have seen, or if I am guilty of any other sin,

Job.31.8

Go ahead, then--give my portion to someone who deserves it.

Job.31.8

then may others eat what I have sown, and may my crops be uprooted.

Job.31.8

Then let me sow, and another eat; Yes, let my harvest be rooted out.

Job.31.8

then let someone else harvest the crops I have planted, and let all that I have planted be uprooted.

Job.31.9

"If I've let myself be seduced by a woman and conspired to go to bed with her,

Job.31.9

"If my heart has been enticed by a woman, or if I have lurked at my neighbor's door,

Job.31.9

"If my heart has been enticed by a woman, Or if I have lurked at my neighbor's door,

Job.31.9

"If my heart has been seduced by a woman, or if I have lusted for my neighbor's wife,

Job.31.10

Fine, my wife has every right to go ahead and sleep with anyone she wants to.

Job.31.10

then may my wife grind another man's grain, and may other men sleep with her.

Job.31.10

Then let my wife grind for another, And let others bow down over her.

Job.31.10

then may my wife belong to another man; may other men sleep with her.

Job.31.11

For disgusting behavior like that, I'd deserve the worst punishment you could hand out.

Job.31.11

For that would have been shameful, a sin to be judged.

Job.31.11

For that would be wickedness; Yes, it would be iniquity deserving of judgment.

Job.31.11

For lust is a shameful sin, a crime that should be punished.

Job.31.12

Adultery is a fire that burns the house down; I wouldn't expect anything I count dear to survive it.

Job.31.12

It is a fire that burns to Destruction; it would have uprooted my harvest.

Job.31.12

For that would be a fire that consumes to destruction, And would root out all my increase.

Job.31.12

It is a devastating fire that destroys to hell. It would wipe out everything I own.

Job.31.13

"Have I ever been unfair to my employees when they brought a complaint to me?

Job.31.13

"If I have denied justice to my menservants and maidservants when they had a grievance against me,

Job.31.13

"If I have despised the cause of my male or female servant When they complained against me,

Job.31.13

"If I have been unfair to my male or female servants, if I have refused to hear their complaints,

Job.31.14

What, then, will I do when God confronts me? When God examines my books, what can I say?

Job.31.14

what will I do when God confronts me? What will I answer when called to account?

Job.31.14

What then shall I do when God rises up? When He punishes, how shall I answer Him?

Job.31.14

how could I face God? What could I say when he questioned me about it?

Job.31.15

Didn't the same God who made me, make them? Aren't we all made of the same stuff, equals before God?

Job.31.15

Did not he who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us both within our mothers?

Job.31.15

Did not He who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same One fashion us in the womb?

Job.31.15

For God created both me and my servants. He created us both.

Job.31.16

"Have I ignored the needs of the poor, turned my back on the indigent,

Job.31.16

"If I have denied the desires of the poor or let the eyes of the widow grow weary,

Job.31.16

"If I have kept the poor from their desire, Or caused the eyes of the widow to fail,

Job.31.16

"Have I refused to help the poor, or crushed the hopes of widows who looked to me for help?

Job.31.17

Taken care of my own needs and fed my own face while they languished?

Job.31.17

if I have kept my bread to myself, not sharing it with the fatherless-

Job.31.17

Or eaten my morsel by myself, So that the fatherless could not eat of it

Job.31.17

Have I been stingy with my food and refused to share it with hungry orphans?

Job.31.18

Wasn't my home always open to them? Weren't they always welcome at my table?

Job.31.18

but from my youth I reared him as would a father, and from my birth I guided the widow-

Job.31.18

(But from my youth I reared him as a father, And from my mother's womb I guided the widow);

Job.31.18

No, from childhood I have cared for orphans, and all my life I have cared for widows.

Job.31.19

"Have I ever left a poor family shivering in the cold when they had no warm clothes?

Job.31.19

if I have seen anyone perishing for lack of clothing, or a needy man without a garment,

Job.31.19

If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, Or any poor man without covering;

Job.31.19

Whenever I saw someone who was homeless and without clothes,

Job.31.20

Didn't the poor bless me when they saw me coming, knowing I'd brought coats from my closet?

Job.31.20

and his heart did not bless me for warming him with the fleece from my sheep,

Job.31.20

If his heart has not blessed me, And if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;

Job.31.20

did they not praise me for providing wool clothing to keep them warm?

Job.31.21

"If I've ever used my strength and influence to take advantage of the unfortunate,

Job.31.21

if I have raised my hand against the fatherless, knowing that I had influence in court,

Job.31.21

If I have raised my hand against the fatherless, When I saw I had help in the gate;

Job.31.21

If my arm has abused an orphan because I thought I could get away with it,

Job.31.22

Go ahead, break both my arms, cut off all my fingers!

Job.31.22

then let my arm fall from the shoulder, let it be broken off at the joint.

Job.31.22

Then let my arm fall from my shoulder, Let my arm be torn from the socket.

Job.31.22

then let my shoulder be wrenched out of place! Let my arm be torn from its socket!

Job.31.23

The fear of God has kept me from these things--how else could I ever face him?

Job.31.23

For I dreaded destruction from God, and for fear of his splendor I could not do such things.

Job.31.23

For destruction from God is a terror to me, And because of His magnificence I cannot endure.

Job.31.23

That would be better than facing the judgment sent by God. For if the majesty of God opposes me, what hope is there?

Job.31.24

"Did I set my heart on making big money or worship at the bank?

Job.31.24

"If I have put my trust in gold or said to pure gold, 'You are my security,'

Job.31.24

"If I have made gold my hope, Or said to fine gold, "You are my confidence';

Job.31.24

"Have I put my trust in money or felt secure because of my gold?

Job.31.25

Did I boast about my wealth, show off because I was well-off?

Job.31.25

if I have rejoiced over my great wealth, the fortune my hands had gained,

Job.31.25

If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, And because my hand had gained much;

Job.31.25

Does my happiness depend on my wealth and all that I own?

Job.31.26

Was I ever so awed by the sun's brilliance and moved by the moon's beauty

Job.31.26

if I have regarded the sun in its radiance or the moon moving in splendor,

Job.31.26

If I have observed the sun when it shines, Or the moon moving in brightness,

Job.31.26

Have I looked at the sun shining in the skies, or the moon walking down its silver pathway,

Job.31.27

That I let myself become seduced by them and worshiped them on the sly?

Job.31.27

so that my heart was secretly enticed and my hand offered them a kiss of homage,

Job.31.27

So that my heart has been secretly enticed, And my mouth has kissed my hand;

Job.31.27

and been secretly enticed in my heart to worship them?

Job.31.28

If so, I would deserve the worst of punishments, for I would be betraying God himself.

Job.31.28

then these also would be sins to be judged, for I would have been unfaithful to God on high.

Job.31.28

This also would be an iniquity deserving of judgment, For I would have denied God who is above.

Job.31.28

If so, I should be punished by the judges, for it would mean I had denied the God of heaven.

Job.31.29

"Did I ever crow over my enemy's ruin? Or gloat over my rival's bad luck?

Job.31.29

"If I have rejoiced at my enemy's misfortune or gloated over the trouble that came to him-

Job.31.29

"If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him who hated me, Or lifted myself up when evil found him

Job.31.29

"Have I ever rejoiced when my enemies came to ruin or become excited when harm came their way?

Job.31.30

No, I never said a word of detraction, never cursed them, even under my breath.

Job.31.30

I have not allowed my mouth to sin by invoking a curse against his life-

Job.31.30

(Indeed I have not allowed my mouth to sin By asking for a curse on his soul);

Job.31.30

No, I have never cursed anyone or asked for revenge.

Job.31.31

"Didn't those who worked for me say, "He fed us well. There were always second helpings'?

Job.31.31

if the men of my household have never said, 'Who has not had his fill of Job's meat?'-

Job.31.31

If the men of my tent have not said, "Who is there that has not been satisfied with his meat?'

Job.31.31

My servants have never let others go hungry.

Job.31.32

And no stranger ever had to spend a night in the street; my doors were always open to travelers.

Job.31.32

but no stranger had to spend the night in the street, for my door was always open to the traveler-

Job.31.32

(But no sojourner had to lodge in the street, For I have opened my doors to the traveler);

Job.31.32

I have never turned away a stranger but have opened my doors to everyone.

Job.31.33

Did I hide my sin the way Adam did, or conceal my guilt behind closed doors

Job.31.33

if I have concealed my sin as men do, by hiding my guilt in my heart

Job.31.33

If I have covered my transgressions as Adam, By hiding my iniquity in my bosom,

Job.31.33

Have I tried to hide my sins as people normally do, hiding my guilt in a closet?

Job.31.34

Because I was afraid what people would say, fearing the gossip of the neighbors so much That I turned myself into a recluse? You know good and well that I didn't.

Job.31.34

because I so feared the crowd and so dreaded the contempt of the clans that I kept silent and would not go outside

Job.31.34

Because I feared the great multitude, And dreaded the contempt of families, So that I kept silence And did not go out of the door--

Job.31.34

Have I feared the crowd and its contempt, so that I refused to acknowledge my sin and would not go outside?

Job.31.35

"Oh, if only someone would give me a hearing! I've signed my name to my defense--let the Almighty One answer! I want to see my indictment in writing.

Job.31.35

("Oh, that I had someone to hear me! I sign now my defense-let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser put his indictment in writing.

Job.31.35

Oh, that I had one to hear me! Here is my mark. Oh, that the Almighty would answer me, That my Prosecutor had written a book!

Job.31.35

"If only I had someone who would listen to me and try to see my side! Look, I will sign my name to my defense. Let the Almighty show me that I am wrong. Let my accuser write out the charges against me.

Job.31.36

Anyone's welcome to read my defense; I'll write it on a poster and carry it around town.

Job.31.36

Surely I would wear it on my shoulder, I would put it on like a crown.

Job.31.36

Surely I would carry it on my shoulder, And bind it on me like a crown;

Job.31.36

I would face the accusation proudly. I would treasure it like a crown.

Job.31.37

I'm prepared to account for every move I've ever made--to anyone and everyone, prince or pauper.

Job.31.37

I would give him an account of my every step; like a prince I would approach him.)-

Job.31.37

I would declare to Him the number of my steps; Like a prince I would approach Him.

Job.31.37

For I would tell him exactly what I have done. I would come before him like a prince.

Job.31.38

"If the very ground that I farm accuses me, if even the furrows fill with tears from my abuse,

Job.31.38

"if my land cries out against me and all its furrows are wet with tears,

Job.31.38

"If my land cries out against me, And its furrows weep together;

Job.31.38

"If my land accuses me and all its furrows weep together,

Job.31.39

If I've ever raped the earth for my own profit or dispossessed its rightful owners,

Job.31.39

if I have devoured its yield without payment or broken the spirit of its tenants,

Job.31.39

If I have eaten its fruit without money, Or caused its owners to lose their lives;

Job.31.39

or if I have stolen its crops or murdered its owners,

Job.31.40

Then curse it with thistles instead of wheat, curse it with weeds instead of barley." The words of Job to his three friends were finished. Elihu Speaks God's Spirit Makes Wisdom Possible

Job.31.40

then let briers come up instead of wheat and weeds instead of barley." The words of Job are ended.

Job.31.40

Then let thistles grow instead of wheat, And weeds instead of barley." The words of Job are ended.

Job.31.40

then let thistles grow on that land instead of wheat and weeds instead of barley." Job's words are ended.

Job.32.1

Job's three friends now fell silent. They were talked out, stymied because Job wouldn't budge an inch--wouldn't admit to an ounce of guilt.

Job.32.1

So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

Job.32.1

So these three men ceased answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

Job.32.1

Job's three friends refused to reply further to him because he kept insisting on his innocence.

Job.32.2

Then Elihu lost his temper. (Elihu was the son of Barakel the Buzite from the clan of Ram.) He blazed out in anger against Job for pitting his righteousness against God's.

Job.32.2

But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God.

Job.32.2

Then the wrath of Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was aroused against Job; his wrath was aroused because he justified himself rather than God.

Job.32.2

Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the clan of Ram, became angry. He was angry because Job refused to admit that he had sinned and that God was right in punishing him.

Job.32.3

He was also angry with the three friends because they had neither come up with an answer nor proved Job wrong.

Job.32.3

He was also angry with the three friends, because they had found no way to refute Job, and yet had condemned him.

Job.32.3

Also against his three friends his wrath was aroused, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.

Job.32.3

He was also angry with Job's three friends because they had condemned God by their inability to answer Job's arguments.

Job.32.4

Elihu had waited with Job while they spoke because they were all older than he.

Job.32.4

Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job because they were older than he.

Job.32.4

Now because they were years older than he, Elihu had waited to speak to Job.

Job.32.4

Elihu had waited for the others to speak because they were older than he.

Job.32.5

But when he saw that the three other men had exhausted their arguments, he exploded with pent-up anger.

Job.32.5

But when he saw that the three men had nothing more to say, his anger was aroused.

Job.32.5

When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was aroused.

Job.32.5

But when he saw that they had no further reply, he spoke out angrily.

Job.32.6

This is what Elihu, son of Barakel the Buzite, said: "I'm a young man, and you are all old and experienced. That's why I kept quiet and held back from joining the discussion.

Job.32.6

So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said: "I am young in years, and you are old; that is why I was fearful, not daring to tell you what I know.

Job.32.6

So Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, answered and said: "I am young in years, and you are very old; Therefore I was afraid, And dared not declare my opinion to you.

Job.32.6

Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said, "I am young and you are old, so I held back and did not dare to tell you what I think.

Job.32.7

I kept thinking, "Experience will tell. The longer you live, the wiser you become.'

Job.32.7

I thought, 'Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.'

Job.32.7

I said, "Age should speak, And multitude of years should teach wisdom.'

Job.32.7

I thought, `Those who are older should speak, for wisdom comes with age.'

Job.32.8

But I see I was wrong--it's God's Spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty One, that makes wise human insight possible.

Job.32.8

But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding.

Job.32.8

But there is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding.

Job.32.8

Surely it is God's Spirit within people, the breath of the Almighty within them, that makes them intelligent.

Job.32.9

The experts have no corner on wisdom; getting old doesn't guarantee good sense.

Job.32.9

It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right.

Job.32.9

Great men are not always wise, Nor do the aged always understand justice.

Job.32.9

But sometimes the elders are not wise. Sometimes the aged do not understand justice.

Job.32.10

So I've decided to speak up. Listen well! I'm going to tell you exactly what I think.

Job.32.10

"Therefore I say: Listen to me; I too will tell you what I know.

Job.32.10

"Therefore I say, "Listen to me, I also will declare my opinion.'

Job.32.10

So listen to me and let me express my opinion.

Job.32.11

"I hung on your words while you spoke, listened carefully to your arguments. While you searched for the right words,

Job.32.11

I waited while you spoke, I listened to your reasoning; while you were searching for words,

Job.32.11

Indeed I waited for your words, I listened to your reasonings, while you searched out what to say.

Job.32.11

"I have waited all this time, listening very carefully to your arguments, listening to you grope for words.

Job.32.12

I was all ears. And now what have you proved? Nothing. Nothing you say has even touched Job.

Job.32.12

I gave you my full attention. But not one of you has proved Job wrong; none of you has answered his arguments.

Job.32.12

I paid close attention to you; And surely not one of you convinced Job, Or answered his words--

Job.32.12

I have listened, but not one of you has refuted Job or answered his arguments.

Job.32.13

And don't excuse yourselves by saying, "We've done our best. Now it's up to God to talk sense into him.'

Job.32.13

Do not say, 'We have found wisdom; let God refute him, not man.'

Job.32.13

Lest you say, "We have found wisdom'; God will vanquish him, not man.

Job.32.13

And don't tell me, `He is too wise for us. Only God can convince him.'

Job.32.14

Job has yet to contend with me. And rest assured, I won't be using your arguments!

Job.32.14

But Job has not marshaled his words against me, and I will not answer him with your arguments.

Job.32.14

Now he has not directed his words against me; So I will not answer him with your words.

Job.32.14

If Job had been arguing with me, I would not answer with that kind of logic!

Job.32.15

"Do you three have nothing else to say? Of course you don't! You're total frauds!

Job.32.15

"They are dismayed and have no more to say; words have failed them.

Job.32.15

"They are dismayed and answer no more; Words escape them.

Job.32.15

You sit there baffled, with no further response.

Job.32.16

Why should I wait any longer, now that you're stopped dead in your tracks?

Job.32.16

Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand there with no reply?

Job.32.16

And I have waited, because they did not speak, Because they stood still and answered no more.

Job.32.16

Should I continue to wait, now that you are silent? Must I also remain silent?

Job.32.17

I'm ready to speak my piece. That's right! It's my turn--and it's about time!

Job.32.17

I too will have my say; I too will tell what I know.

Job.32.17

I also will answer my part, I too will declare my opinion.

Job.32.17

No, I will say my piece. I will speak my mind. I surely will.

Job.32.18

I've got a lot to say, and I'm bursting to say it.

Job.32.18

For I am full of words, and the spirit within me compels me;

Job.32.18

For I am full of words; The spirit within me compels me.

Job.32.18

For I am pent up and full of words, and the spirit within me urges me on.

Job.32.19

The pressure has built up, like lava beneath the earth. I'm a volcano ready to blow.

Job.32.19

inside I am like bottled-up wine, like new wineskins ready to burst.

Job.32.19

Indeed my belly is like wine that has no vent; It is ready to burst like new wineskins.

Job.32.19

I am like a wine cask without a vent. My words are ready to burst out!

Job.32.20

I have to speak--I have no choice. I have to say what's on my heart,

Job.32.20

I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and reply.

Job.32.20

I will speak, that I may find relief; I must open my lips and answer.

Job.32.20

I must speak to find relief, so let me give my answers.

Job.32.21

And I'm going to say it straight--the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

Job.32.21

I will show partiality to no one, nor will I flatter any man;

Job.32.21

Let me not, I pray, show partiality to anyone; Nor let me flatter any man.

Job.32.21

I won't play favorites or try to flatter anyone.

Job.32.22

I was never any good at bootlicking; my Maker would make short work of me if I started in now!

Job.32.22

for if I were skilled in flattery, my Maker would soon take me away.

Job.32.22

For I do not know how to flatter, Else my Maker would soon take me away.

Job.32.22

And if I tried, my Creator would soon do away with me.