| New Living Translation | NET Bible |
| 1Job’s three friends refused to reply further to him because he kept insisting on his innocence. | 1So these three men refused to answer Job further, because he was righteous in his own eyes. |
| 2Then 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. | 2Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry. He was angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God. |
| 3He was also angry with Job’s three friends, for they made God appear to be wrong by their inability to answer Job’s arguments. | 3With Job's three friends he was also angry, because they could not find an answer, and so declared Job guilty. |
| 4Elihu had waited for the others to speak to Job because they were older than he. | 4Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job, because the others were older than he was. |
| 5But when he saw that they had no further reply, he spoke out angrily. | 5But when Elihu saw that the three men had no further reply, he became very angry. |
| 6Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said, “I am young and you are old, so I held back from telling you what I think. | 6So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite spoke up: "I am young, but you are elderly; that is why I was fearful, and afraid to explain to you what I know. |
| 7I thought, ‘Those who are older should speak, for wisdom comes with age.’ | 7I said to myself, 'Age should speak, and length of years should make wisdom known.' |
| 8But there is a spirit within people, the breath of the Almighty within them, that makes them intelligent. | 8But it is a spirit in people, the breath of the Almighty, that makes them understand. |
| 9Sometimes the elders are not wise. Sometimes the aged do not understand justice. | 9It is not the aged who are wise, nor old men who understand what is right. |
| 10So listen to me, and let me tell you what I think. | 10Therefore I say, 'Listen to me. I, even I, will explain what I know.' |
| 11“I have waited all this time, listening very carefully to your arguments, listening to you grope for words. | 11Look, I waited for you to speak; I listened closely to your wise thoughts,while you were searching for words. |
| 12I have listened, but not one of you has refuted Job or answered his arguments. | 12Now I was paying you close attention, yet there was no one proving Job wrong, not one of you was answering his statements! |
| 13And don’t tell me, ‘He is too wise for us. Only God can convince him.’ | 13So do not say, 'We have found wisdom! God will refute him, not man!' |
| 14If Job had been arguing with me, I would not answer with your kind of logic! | 14Job has not directed his words to me, and so I will not reply to him with your arguments. |
| 15You sit there baffled, with nothing more to say. | 15"They are dismayed and cannot answer any more; they have nothing left to say. |
| 16Should I continue to wait, now that you are silent? Must I also remain silent? | 16And I have waited. But because they do not speak, because they stand there and answer no more, |
| 17No, I will say my piece. I will speak my mind. | 17I too will answer my part, I too will explain what I know. |
| 18For I am full of pent-up words, and the spirit within me urges me on. | 18For I am full of words, and the spirit within me constrains me. |
| 19I am like a cask of wine without a vent, like a new wineskin ready to burst! | 19Inside I am like wine which has no outlet, like new wineskins ready to burst! |
| 20I must speak to find relief, so let me give my answers. | 20I will speak, so that I may find relief; I will open my lips, so that I may answer. |
| 21I won’t play favorites or try to flatter anyone. | 21I will not show partiality to anyone, nor will I confer a title on any man. |
| 22For if I tried flattery, my Creator would soon destroy me. | 22for I do not know how to give honorary titles, if I did, my Creator would quickly do away with me. |
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