Job 32

Elihu Responds to Job’s Friends

1Job’s three friends refused to reply further to him because he kept insisting on his innocence.

2Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the clan of Ram, became angry. He was angry because Job refused to admit that he had sinned and that God was right in punishing him. 3He was also angry with Job’s three friends, for they made God* appear to be wrong by their inability to answer Job’s arguments. 4Elihu had waited for the others to speak to Job because they were older than he. 5But when he saw that they had no further reply, he spoke out angrily. 6Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said,

“I am young and you are old,

so I held back from telling you what I think.

7I thought, ‘Those who are older should speak,

for wisdom comes with age.’

8But there is a spirit* within people,

the breath of the Almighty within them,

that makes them intelligent.

9Sometimes the elders are not wise.

Sometimes the aged do not understand justice.

10So listen to me,

and let me tell you what I think.

21“For God watches how people live;

he sees everything they do.

22No darkness is thick enough

to hide the wicked from his eyes.

23We don’t set the time

when we will come before God in judgment.

24He brings the mighty to ruin without asking anyone,

and he sets up others in their place.

25He knows what they do,

and in the night he overturns and destroys them.

26He strikes them down because they are wicked,

doing it openly for all to see.

27For they turned away from following him.

They have no respect for any of his ways.

28They cause the poor to cry out, catching God’s attention.

He hears the cries of the needy.

29But if he chooses to remain quiet,

who can criticize him?

When he hides his face, no one can find him,

whether an individual or a nation.

30He prevents the godless from ruling

so they cannot be a snare to the people.

31“Why don’t people say to God, ‘I have sinned,

but I will sin no more’?

32Or ‘I don’t know what evil I have done—tell me.

If I have done wrong, I will stop at once’?

33“Must God tailor his justice to your demands?

But you have rejected him!

The choice is yours, not mine.

Go ahead, share your wisdom with us.

34After all, bright people will tell me,

and wise people will hear me say,

35‘Job speaks out of ignorance;

his words lack insight.’

36Job, you deserve the maximum penalty

for the wicked way you have talked.

37For you have added rebellion to your sin;

you show no respect,

and you speak many angry words against God.”