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v1
Then these three men ceased from answering Job because he was righteous in his own eyes.
v2
So Elihu the son of Barakel the Buzite, from the clan of Ram, became angry. ^[Literally “the nose of Elihu became hot”] He became angry ^[Literally “His nose became hot”] at Job because he justified himself rather than God,
v3
and he became angry ^[Literally “his nose became hot”] at his three friends because they had not found an answer, and they had declared Job guilty.
v4
Thus Elihu had waited for Job to speak ^[Literally “in words”] because they were older than he. ^[Literally “they were older than he as far as days”]
v5
When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men, he became angry. ^[Literally “his nose became hot”]
v6
Then Elihu the son of Barakel the Buzite spoke up ^[Literally “answered”; see NET] and said, “I am young, ^[Literally “Young I am as far as days”] but ^[Or “and”] you ^[Plural] are old; therefore I feared and became afraid of explaining my knowledge to you. ^[Plural]
v7
I thought, ^[Or “said”] ‘Let days ^[Compare the idiom of “as far as days” in vv. 4 and 6] speak, and let many years teach wisdom.‘
v8
“Truly, it is a spirit in a human being, and the breath of Shaddai teaches them.
v9
It is not the aged ^[Literally “many in days”] who are wise, or ^[Hebrew “and”] it is not the elders who understand justice.
v10
Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; let me also declare my knowledge myself.‘
v11
“Look, I waited for your ^[Plural] words; I listened for your ^[Plural] insight, until you searched out what to say. ^[Literally “words,” or “sentences”]
v12
And I directed my attention to you; ^[Plural] and, look, there is no one for Job who refuted, answering his words among you.
v13
So do not say, ‘We have found wisdom; let God refute him, not a man.‘
v14
But ^[Hebrew “And”] he did not direct his words ^[Or “sentences,” or “what he said”] to me, and I will not answer him with your ^[Plural] words.
v15
“They are dismayed; they no longer answer; they have nothing to say. ^[Literally “words fail from them,” or “sentences fail from them,” or “what to say fails from them”]
v16
And I have waited because they do not speak, because they stand there and no longer answer.
v17
I myself will answer my share also; I myself will declare my knowledge also,
v18
for I am full of words; ^[Or “sentences,” or “what to say”] the spirit within me ^[Literally “the spirit of my stomach”] urges me.
v19
“Look, my internal organs are like unopened wine, like new wineskins it ^[Antecedent is “wine”] is ready to burst open.
v20
Let me speak that I may find relief; ^[Literally “and let it find relief for me”] let me open my lips, and let me answer.
v21
Please let me not show partiality to anyone, ^[Literally “Not please I will lift up face of a man”] and let me not show flattery to human beings,
v22
for I do not know how to flatter, ^[Literally “I will flatter”] else my Maker would soon ^[Literally “like little”] put an end to me.