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32 <1> Then Job's three friends gave up trying to answer Job because he was so sure that he was innocent. <2> But there was a young man there named Elihu son of Barakel. He was a descendant of a man named Buz. Elihu was from the family of Ram. He became very angry because Job kept saying he was innocent-that he was right and God was wrong. <3> Elihu was also angry with Job's three friends because they could not answer him, and yet they still considered him guilty of doing wrong. <4> Elihu was the youngest one there, so he had waited until everyone had finished talking. <5> When Elihu saw that Job's three friends had nothing more to say, he became angry. <6> So Elihu said:
"I am only a young man, and you are old men.
That is why I was afraid to tell you what I think.
<7> I thought to myself,
'Older people should speak first.
They have lived many years.
So they have learned many things.'
<8> But God's Spirit makes a person wise.
That 'breath' from God All-Powerful
makes people understand.
<9> Old men are not the only wise people.
They are not the only people who understand what is right.
<10> "So please listen to me,
and I will tell you what I think.
<11> I waited patiently while you men talked.
I listened to the answers you gave to Job
as you searched for the right words.
<12> I listened carefully to what you said.
Not one of you proved Job was wrong.
Not one of you answered his arguments.
<13> You three men cannot say
that you have found wisdom.
God must answer Job's arguments, not people.
<14> Job did not present his arguments to me,
so I will not use the arguments you three men have used.
<15> "Job, these men lost the argument.
They don't have anything more to say.
They don't have any more answers.
<16> I waited for them to answer you.
But now, they are quiet.
They have stopped arguing with you.
<17> So now I will give you my answer.
Yes, I will tell you what I think.
<18> I have so much to say,
that I am about to explode.
<19> I am like a bottle of new wine
that hasn't been opened.
I am like a new wineskin
that is ready to break open.
<20> So I must speak.
Then I will feel better.
I must answer your arguments.
<21> I must treat you the same
as I would treat any other person.
I will not try to say nice things to you.
<22> I cannot treat one person better another person.
If I did that, God my Maker would punish me!
© Copyright 2004 World Bible Translation Center.