Job 32:1-11

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.

11“I have waited all this time, listening very carefully to your arguments, listening to you grope for words.