Job’s Friends Failed to Answer34

32:15 “They are dismayed35 and cannot answer any more;

they have nothing left to say.36

32:16 And I have waited.37 But because they do not speak,

because they stand there and answer no more,

32:17 I too will answer my part,

I too will explain what I know.

32:18 For I am full of words,

and the spirit within me38 constrains me.39

32:19 Inside I am like wine which has no outlet,40

like new wineskins41 ready to burst!

32:20 I will speak,42 so that I may find relief;

I will open my lips, so that I may answer.

32:21 I will not show partiality to anyone,43

nor will I confer a title44 on any man.

32:22 for I do not know how to give honorary titles,45

if I did,46 my Creator would quickly do away with me.47

Elihu Invites Job’s Attention

33:1 “But now, O Job, listen to my words,

and hear1 everything I have to say!2

33:2 See now, I have opened3 my mouth;

my tongue in my mouth has spoken.4

33:3 My words come from the uprightness of my heart,5

and my lips will utter knowledge sincerely.6

33:4 The Spirit of God has made me,

and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.7

33:5 Reply to me, if you can;

set your arguments8 in order before me

and take your stand!

33:6 Look, I am just like you in relation to God;

I too have been molded9 from clay.

33:7 Therefore no fear of me should terrify you,

nor should my pressure10 be heavy on you.11

Elihu Rejects Job’s Plea of Innocence

33:8 “Indeed, you have said in my hearing12

(I heard the sound of the words!):

33:9 13 ‘I am pure, without transgression;

I am clean14 and have no iniquity.

33:10 15 Yet God16 finds occasions17 with me;

he regards me as his enemy!

33:11 18 He puts my feet in shackles;

he watches closely all my paths.’

33:12 Now in this, you are not right—I answer you,19

for God is greater than a human being.20

33:13 Why do you contend against him,

that he does not answer all a person’s21 words?