Job 32:13-20 - Compare All Versions

Share

Do not say, ‘We have found wisdom; let God, not a man, refute him.’ But Job has not marshaled his words against me, and I will not answer him with your arguments. “They are dismayed and have no more to say; words have failed them. Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand there with no reply? I too will have my say; I too will tell what I know. For I am full of words, and the spirit within me compels me; inside I am like bottled-up wine, like new wineskins ready to burst. I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and reply.

Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not a man.’ He has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your speeches. “They are dismayed; they answer no more; they have not a word to say. And shall I wait, because they do not speak, because they stand there, and answer no more? I also will answer with my share; I also will declare my opinion. For I am full of words; the spirit within me constrains me. Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent; like new wineskins ready to burst. I must speak, that I may find relief; I must open my lips and answer.

And don’t tell me, ‘He is too wise for us. Only God can convince him.’ If Job had been arguing with me, I would not answer with your kind of logic! You sit there baffled, with nothing more to say. Should I continue to wait, now that you are silent? Must I also remain silent? No, I will say my piece. I will speak my mind. For I am full of pent-up words, and the spirit within me urges me on. I am like a cask of wine without a vent, like a new wineskin ready to burst! I must speak to find relief, so let me give my answers.

So do not claim, “We have found wisdom; let God deal with him, not man.” But Job has not directed his argument to me, and I will not respond to him with your arguments. Job’s friends are dismayed and can no longer answer; words have left them. Should I continue to wait now that they are silent, now that they stand there and no longer answer? I too will answer;  yes, I will tell what I know. For I am full of words, and my spirit  compels me to speak.  My heart  is like unvented wine; it is about to burst like new wineskins.  I must speak so that I can find relief; I must open my lips and respond.

Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man. Now he hath not directed his words against me: Neither will I answer him with your speeches. They were amazed, they answered no more: They left off speaking. When I had waited, (for they spake not, But stood still, and answered no more;) I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion. For I am full of matter, The spirit within me constraineth me. Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; It is ready to burst like new bottles. I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.

Lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom’; God will vanquish him, not man. Now he has not directed his words against me; So I will not answer him with your words. “They are dismayed and answer no more; Words escape them. And I have waited, because they did not speak, Because they stood still and answered no more. I also will answer my part, I too will declare my opinion. For I am full of words; The spirit within me compels me. Indeed my belly is like wine that has no vent; It is ready to burst like new wineskins. I will speak, that I may find relief; I must open my lips and answer.

“I hung on your words while you spoke, listened carefully to your arguments. While you searched for the right words, I was all ears. And now what have you proved? Nothing. Nothing you say has even touched Job. And don’t excuse yourselves by saying, ‘We’ve done our best. Now it’s up to God to talk sense into him.’ Job has yet to contend with me. And rest assured, I won’t be using your arguments! “Do you three have nothing else to say? Of course you don’t! You’re total frauds! Why should I wait any longer, now that you’re stopped dead in your tracks? I’m ready to speak my piece. That’s right! It’s my turn—and it’s about time! I’ve got a lot to say, and I’m bursting to say it. The pressure has built up, like lava beneath the earth. I’m a volcano ready to blow. I have to speak—I have no choice. I have to say what’s on my heart, And I’m going to say it straight— the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I was never any good at bootlicking; my Maker would make short work of me if I started in now!”

“So do not say, ‘We have found wisdom: God will defeat him, not man.’ “But he has not presented his words against me, Nor will I reply to him with your arguments. ¶“They are dismayed, they no longer answer; Words have failed them. “Should I wait, because they are not speaking, Because they have stopped and no longer answer? “I too will give my share of answers; I also will tell my opinion. “For I am full of words; The spirit within me compels me. “Behold, my belly is like unvented wine; Like new wineskins, it is about to burst. “Let me speak so that I may get relief; Let me open my lips and answer.

“Beware if you say, ‘We have found wisdom; God thrusts Job down [justly], not man [for God alone is dealing with him].’ “Now Job has not directed his words against me [therefore I have no reason to be offended], Nor will I answer him with arguments like yours. [I speak for truth, not for revenge.] ¶“They (Job’s friends) are dismayed and embarrassed, they no longer answer; The words have moved away and failed them,” [says Elihu]. “And shall I wait, because they say nothing, But stand still and say no more? “I too will give my share of answers; I too will express my opinion and share my knowledge. “For I am full of words; The spirit within me constrains me. “My belly is like unvented wine; Like new wineskins it is about to burst. “I must speak so that I may get relief; I will open my lips and answer.

So do not say, ‘We have found wisdom! God will refute him, not man!’ Job has not directed his words to me, and so I will not reply to him with your arguments. “They are dismayed and cannot answer any more; they have nothing left to say. And I have waited. But because they do not speak, because they stand there and answer no more, I too will answer my part, I too will explain what I know. For I am full of words, and the spirit within me constrains me. Inside I am like wine which has no outlet, like new wineskins ready to burst! I will speak, so that I may find relief; I will open my lips, so that I may answer.