Elihu Justifies His Right to Answer Job

321 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God. 3 Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak unto Job, because they were elder than he. 5 And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled.

6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; Wherefore I held back, and durst not show you mine opinion. 7 I said, Days should speak, And multitude of years should teach wisdom. 8 But there is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty giveth them understanding. 9 It is not the great that are wise, Nor the aged that understand justice. 10 Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will show mine opinion. 11 Behold, I waited for your words, I listened for your reasonings, Whilst ye searched out what to say. 12 Yea, I attended unto you, And, behold, there was none that convinced Job, Or that answered his words, among you. 13 Beware lest ye say, We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not man: 14 For he hath not directed his words against me; Neither will I answer him with your speeches.

15 They are amazed, they answer no more: They have not a word to say. 16 And shall I wait, because they speak not, Because they stand still, and answer no more? 17 I also will answer my part, I also will show mine opinion. 18 For I am full of words; The spirit within me constraineth me. 19 Behold, my breast is as wine which hath no vent; Like new wine-skins it is ready to burst. 20 I will speak, that I may be refreshed; I will open my lips and answer. 21 Let me not, I pray you, respect any man's person; Neither will I give flattering titles unto any man. 22 For I know not to give flattering titles; [Else] would my Maker soon take me away.

Elihu Reproves Job

331 Howbeit, Job, I pray thee, hear my speech, And hearken to all my words. 2 Behold now, I have opened my mouth; My tongue hath spoken in my mouth. 3 My words [shall utter] the uprightness of my heart; And that which my lips know they shall speak sincerely. 4 The Spirit of God hath made me, And the breath of the Almighty giveth me life. 5 If thou canst, answer thou me; Set [thy words] in order before me, stand forth. 6 Behold, I am toward God even as thou art: I also am formed out of the clay. 7 Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, Neither shall my pressure be heavy upon thee.

8 Surely thou hast spoken in my hearing, And I have heard the voice of [thy] words, [saying], 9 I am clean, without transgression; I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me: 10 Behold, he findeth occasions against me, He counteth me for his enemy: 11 He putteth my feet in the stocks, He marketh all my paths. 12 Behold, I will answer thee, in this thou art not just; For God is greater than man. 13 Why dost thou strive against him, For that he giveth not account of any of his matters?

14 For God speaketh once, Yea twice, [though man] regardeth it not. 15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, When deep sleep falleth upon men, In slumberings upon the bed; 16 Then he openeth the ears of men, And sealeth their instruction, 17 That he may withdraw man [from his] purpose, And hide pride from man; 18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, And his life from perishing by the sword.

19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, And with continual strife in his bones; 20 So that his life abhorreth bread, And his soul dainty food. 21 His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; And his bones that were not seen stick out. 22 Yea, his soul draweth near unto the pit, And his life to the destroyers. 23 If there be with him an angel, An interpreter, one among a thousand, To show unto man what is right for him; 24 Then [God] is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom. 25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child's; He returneth to the days of his youth. 26 He prayeth unto God, and he is favorable unto him, So that he seeth his face with joy: And he restoreth unto man his righteousness. 27 He singeth before men, and saith, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, And it profited me not: 28 He hath redeemed my soul from going into the pit, And my life shall behold the light.

29 Lo, all these things doth God work, Twice, [yea] thrice, with a man, 30 To bring back his soul from the pit, That he may be enlightened with the light of the living. 31 Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: Hold thy peace, and I will speak. 32 If thou hast anything to say, answer me: Speak, for I desire to justify thee. 33 If not, hearken thou unto me: Hold thy peace, and I will teach thee wisdom.

Elihu Justifies God

341 Moreover Elihu answered and said, 2 Hear my words, ye wise men; And give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge. 3 For the ear trieth words, As the palate tasteth food. 4 Let us choose for us that which is right: Let us know among ourselves what is good. 5 For Job hath said, I am righteous, And God hath taken away my right: 6 Notwithstanding my right I am [accounted] a liar; My wound is incurable, [though I am] without transgression. 7 What man is like Job, Who drinketh up scoffing like water, 8 Who goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, And walketh with wicked men? 9 For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing That he should delight himself with God.

10 Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: Far be it from God, that he should do wickedness, And from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity. 11 For the work of a man will he render unto him, And cause every man to find according to his ways. 12 Yea, of a surety, God will not do wickedly, Neither will the Almighty pervert justice. 13 Who gave him a charge over the earth? Or who hath disposed the whole world? 14 If he set his heart upon himself, [If] he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; 15 All flesh shall perish together, And man shall turn again unto dust.

16 If now [thou hast] understanding, hear this: Hearken to the voice of my words. 17 Shall even one that hateth justice govern? And wilt thou condemn him that is righteous [and] mighty?— 18 [Him] that saith to a king, [Thou art] vile, [Or] to nobles, [Ye are] wicked; 19 That respecteth not the persons of princes, Nor regardeth the rich more than the poor; For they all are the work of his hands. 20 In a moment they die, even at midnight; The people are shaken and pass away, And the mighty are taken away without hand. 21 For his eyes are upon the ways of a man, And he seeth all his goings. 22 There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. 23 For he needeth not further to consider a man, That he should go before God in judgment. 24 He breaketh in pieces mighty men [in ways] past finding out, And setteth others in their stead. 25 Therefore he taketh knowledge of their works; And he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed. 26 He striketh them as wicked men In the open sight of others; 27 Because they turned aside from following him, And would not have regard in any of his ways: 28 So that they caused the cry of the poor to come unto him, And he heard the cry of the afflicted. 29 When he giveth quietness, who then can condemn? And when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? Alike whether [it be done] unto a nation, or unto a man: 30 That the godless man reign not, That there be none to ensnare the people.

31 For hath any said unto God, I have borne [chastisement], I will not offend [any more]: 32 That which I see not teach thou me: If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more? 33 Shall his recompense be as thou wilt, that thou refusest it? For thou must choose, and not I: Therefore speak what thou knowest. 34 Men of understanding will say unto me, Yea, every wise man that heareth me: 35 Job speaketh without knowledge, And his words are without wisdom. 36 Would that Job were tried unto the end, Because of his answering like wicked men. 37 For he addeth rebellion unto his sin; He clappeth his hands among us, And multiplieth his words against God.