Job 32:15-22 - Compare All Versions

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“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. I will show no partiality, nor will I flatter anyone; for if I were skilled in flattery, my Maker would soon take me away.

“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. I will not show partiality to any man or use flattery toward any person. For I do not know how to flatter, else my Maker would soon take me away.

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. I won’t play favorites or try to flatter anyone. For if I tried flattery, my Creator would soon destroy me.

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. I will be partial to no one,  and I will not give anyone an undeserved title. For I do not know how to give such titles; otherwise, my Maker would remove me in an instant.

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. Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, Neither let me give flattering titles unto man. For I know not to give flattering titles; In so doing my Maker would soon take me away.

“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. Let me not, I pray, show partiality to anyone; Nor let me flatter any man. For I do not know how to flatter, Else my Maker would soon take me away.

“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!”

¶“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. “Let me be partial to no one, Nor flatter any man. “For I do not know how to flatter, Otherwise my Maker would quickly take me away.

¶“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. “I will not [I warn you] be partial to any man [that is, let my respect for you mitigate what I say]; Nor flatter any man. “For I do not know how to flatter, [in an appropriate way, and I fear that], My Maker would soon take me away.

“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. I will not show partiality to anyone, nor will I confer a title on any man. for I do not know how to give honorary titles, if I did, my Creator would quickly do away with me.