2.0 KiB
Elihu's Angry Response
Chapter 32
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So these three men quit answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
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Then Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite from the family of Ram became angry. He was angry at Job because he had justified himself rather than God.
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He was also angry at Job's three friends because they had failed to refute him and yet had condemned him.
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Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were all older than he.
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But when he saw that the three men could not answer Job, he became angry.
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So Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite replied: I am young in years, while you are old; therefore I was timid and afraid to tell you what I know.
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I thought that age should speak and maturity should teach wisdom.
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But it is the spirit in a person-- the breath from the Almighty-- that gives anyone understanding.
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It is not only the old who are wise or the elderly who understand how to judge.
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Therefore I say, "Listen to me. I too will declare what I know."
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Look, I waited for your conclusions; I listened to your insights as you sought for words.
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I paid close attention to you. Yet no one proved Job wrong; not one of you refuted his arguments.
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So do not claim, "We have found wisdom; let God deal with him, not man."
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But Job has not directed his argument to me, and I will not respond to him with your arguments.
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Job's friends are dismayed and can no longer answer; words have left them.
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Should I continue to wait now that they are silent, now that they stand there and no longer answer?
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I too will answer; yes, I will tell what I know.
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For I am full of words, and my spirit compels me to speak.
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My heart is like unvented wine; it is about to burst like new wineskins.
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I must speak so that I can find relief; I must open my lips and respond.
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I will be partial to no one, and I will not give anyone an undeserved title.
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For I do not know how to give such titles; otherwise, my Maker would remove me in an instant.