1 So these three men ceased answering Job, since he was righteous in his own sight.
2 Then Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the clan of Ram, burned with anger. He was angry with Job for making himself out to be in the right rather than God.
3 He was angry too with his three friends, because they had not found an answer and yet had declared Job guilty.
4 Elihu had held back from speaking to Job, because they were older in years than he.
5 But when Elihu saw that the three men had no answer in their mouths, his anger burned.
6 And Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite spoke up and said: "I am young in days, and you are old; so I was timid and afraid to tell you what I know.
7 I thought, 'Age should speak, and length of years should teach wisdom.'
8 But it is a spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes them understand.
9 It is not the old who are wise, nor the aged who grasp what is just.
10 So I say, 'Hear me; I too will tell you what I know.'
11 See, I waited while you spoke; I gave ear to your arguments while you hunted for words.
12 I paid close attention to you, and look, not one of you refuted Job; none of you answered what he said.
13 Beware of saying, 'We have found wisdom; God may defeat him, not man.'
14 He has not directed his words at me, and I will not reply to him with your arguments.
15 They are dumbfounded; they answer no longer; words have left them.
16 Shall I wait because they do not speak, because they stand there and no longer reply?
17 I too will answer my share; I too will tell what I know.
18 For I am filled with words; the spirit in my belly constrains me.
19 My belly is like wine that is sealed up; like new wineskins it is about to split.
20 I must speak to get relief; I must open my lips and reply.
21 I will not take anyone's side, nor give flattering titles to any man.
22 For I do not know how to flatter; else my Maker would quickly take me away.