Daily Bible Reading

Elihu Rebukes Job’s Three Friends

1So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. 3He burned with anger also at Job’s three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong. 4Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, he burned with anger.

6And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:

“I am young in years,

and you are aged;

therefore I was timid and afraid

to declare my opinion to you.

7I said, ‘Let days speak,

and many years teach wisdom.’

8But it is the spirit in man,

the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.

9It is not the old who are wise,

nor the aged who understand what is right.

10Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me;

let me also declare my opinion.’

11“Behold, I waited for your words,

I listened for your wise sayings,

while you searched out what to say.

12I gave you my attention,

and, behold, there was none among you who refuted Job

or who answered his words.

13Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom;

God may vanquish him, not a man.’

14He has not directed his words against me,

and I will not answer him with your speeches.

15“They are dismayed; they answer no more;

they have not a word to say.

16And shall I wait, because they do not speak,

because they stand there, and answer no more?

17I also will answer with my share;

I also will declare my opinion.

18For I am full of words;

the spirit within me constrains me.

19Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent;

like new wineskins ready to burst.

20I must speak, that I may find relief;

I must open my lips and answer.

21I will not show partiality to any man

or use flattery toward any person.

22For I do not know how to flatter,

else my Maker would soon take me away.

Elihu

1So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God. 3He was also angry with the three friends, because they had found no way to refute Job, and yet had condemned him. 4Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job because they were older than he. 5But when he saw that the three men had nothing more to say, his anger was aroused.

6So 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.

7I thought, ‘Age should speak;

advanced years should teach wisdom.’

8But it is the spirit in a person,

the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.

9It is not only the old who are wise,

not only the aged who understand what is right.

10“Therefore I say: Listen to me;

I too will tell you what I know.

11I waited while you spoke,

I listened to your reasoning;

while you were searching for words,

12I gave you my full attention.

But not one of you has proved Job wrong;

none of you has answered his arguments.

13Do not say, ‘We have found wisdom;

let God, not a man, refute him.’

14But Job has not marshaled his words against me,

and I will not answer him with your arguments.

15“They are dismayed and have no more to say;

words have failed them.

16Must I wait, now that they are silent,

now that they stand there with no reply?

17I too will have my say;

I too will tell what I know.

18For I am full of words,

and the spirit within me compels me;

19inside I am like bottled-up wine,

like new wineskins ready to burst.

20I must speak and find relief;

I must open my lips and reply.

21I will show no partiality,

nor will I flatter anyone;

22for if I were skilled in flattery,

my Maker would soon take me away.