[1] Then Job’s three friends gave up trying to answer Job. They gave up because Job was so sure that he himself was truly innocent.
[2] But there was a young man there named Elihu son of Barakel. Barakel was a descendant of a man named Buz. Elihu was from the family of Ram. Elihu became very angry with Job. Why? Because Job was saying that he himself was right. Job was saying that he was more fair than God.
[3] Elihu was also angry with Job’s three friends. Why? Because Job’s three friends could not answer Job’s questions. They could not prove that Job was wrong.
[4] Elihu was the youngest person there, so he had waited until everyone was finished talking. Then he felt like he could begin to talk.
[5] But then Elihu saw that Job’s three friends had nothing more to say. So he became angry.
[6] So Elihu began to talk. He 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. Older people 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. Old people are not the only people that 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 that you gave to Job.
[12] I listened carefully to the things you said. Not one of you criticized Job. Not one of you answered his arguments.
[13] You three men can’t 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 won’t 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] Job, I waited for these men 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 speak and answer Job’s arguments.
[21] I must treat Job the same as I would treat any other person. I will not try to say nice things to him. ˻I will say what I must say.˼
[22] I can’t treat one person better another person! If I did that, then God would punish me!