Job 32:8-11 - Compare All Versions

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But it is the spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding. It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right. “Therefore I say: Listen to me; I too will tell you what I know. I waited while you spoke, I listened to your reasoning; while you were searching for words

But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand. It is not the old who are wise, nor the aged who understand what is right. Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; let me also declare my opinion.’ “Behold, I waited for your words, I listened for your wise sayings, while you searched out what to say.

But there is a spirit within people, the breath of the Almighty within them, that makes them intelligent. Sometimes the elders are not wise. Sometimes the aged do not understand justice. So listen to me, and let me tell you what I think. “I have waited all this time, listening very carefully to your arguments, listening to you grope for words.

But it is the spirit in a person— the breath  from the Almighty— that gives anyone understanding. It is not only the old who are wise or the elderly who understand how to judge. Therefore I say, “Listen to me. I too will declare what I know.” Look, I waited for your conclusions; I listened to your insights as you sought for words.

But there is a spirit in man: And the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. Great men are not always wise: Neither do the aged understand judgment. Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion. Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, Whilst ye searched out what to say.

But there is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding. Great men are not always wise, Nor do the aged always understand justice. “Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me, I also will declare my opinion.’ Indeed I waited for your words, I listened to your reasonings, while you searched out what to say.

This is what Elihu, son of Barakel the Buzite, said: “I’m a young man, and you are all old and experienced. That’s why I kept quiet and held back from joining the discussion. I kept thinking, ‘Experience will tell. The longer you live, the wiser you become.’ But I see I was wrong—it’s God’s Spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty One, that makes wise human insight possible. The experts have no corner on wisdom; getting old doesn’t guarantee good sense. So I’ve decided to speak up. Listen well! I’m going to tell you exactly what I think. “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!

“But it is a spirit that is in mankind, And the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding. “The abundant in years may not be wise, Nor may elders understand justice. “So I say, ‘Listen to me, I too will tell what I think.’ ¶“Behold, I waited for your words, I listened to your skillful speech, While you pondered what to say.

“But there is [a vital force and] a spirit [of intelligence] in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding. [Prov 2:6] “Those [who are] abundant in years may not [always] be wise, Nor may the elders [always] understand justice. “Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; I also will give you my opinion [about Job’s situation] and tell you plainly what I think.’ ¶“You see, I waited for your words, I listened to your [wise] reasons, While you pondered and searched out what to say.

But it is a spirit in people, the breath of the Almighty, that makes them understand. It is not the aged who are wise, nor old men who understand what is right. Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me. I, even I, will explain what I know.’ Look, I waited for you to speak; I listened closely to your wise thoughts,while you were searching for words.