7 I thought, 'Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom.' 8 But it is the spirit
7 I said, 'Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom.' 8 But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand. 9 It is not the old
7 I kept thinking, 'Experience will tell. The longer you live, the wiser you become.' 8 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. 9 The experts have no corner on wisdom; getting old doesn't guarantee good sense.
7 I said, 'Age should speak, And multitude of years should teach wisdom.' 8 But there is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding. 9 Great men are not always wise, Nor do the aged always understand justice.
7 I thought, 'Those who are older should speak, for wisdom comes with age.' 8 But there is a spirit within people, the breath of the Almighty within them, that makes them intelligent. 9 Sometimes the elders are not wise. Sometimes the aged do not understand justice.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 32:7-9
Commentary on Job 32:6-14
(Read Job 32:6-14)
Elihu professes to speak by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and corrects both parties. He allowed that those who had the longest experience should speak first. But God gives wisdom as he pleases; this encouraged him to state his opinion. By attention to the word of God, and dependence upon the Holy Spirit, young men may become wiser than the aged; but this wisdom will render them swift to hear, slow to speak, and disposed to give others a patient hearing.