New Living Translation
Job 32:21
21I won’t play favorites or try to flatter anyone.
Job 32:21 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man.
- New International Version (NIV)I will show no partiality, nor will I flatter anyone;
- English Standard Version (ESV)I will not show partiality to any man or use flattery toward any person.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Let me not, I pray, show partiality to anyone; Nor let me flatter any man.
Context of Job 32:21
19I am like a cask of wine without a vent, like a new wineskin ready to burst! 20I must speak to find relief, so let me give my answers. I won’t play favorites or try to flatter anyone. 22For if I tried flattery, my Creator would soon destroy me.
Read all of Job 32Job 32:21 word by word
אַל־נָ֭א אֶשָּׂ֣א פְנֵי־אִ֑ישׁ וְאֶל־אָ֝דָ֗ם לֹ֣א אֲכַנֶּֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Job 32:21
- Job 13:8Will you slant your testimony in his favor? Will you argue God’s case for him?
- Job 34:19He doesn’t care how great a person may be, and he pays no more attention to the rich than to the poor. He made them all.
- Leviticus 19:15“Do not twist justice in legal matters by favoring the poor or being partial to the rich and powerful. Always judge people fairly.
- Deuteronomy 1:17and impartial in your judgments. Hear the cases of those who are poor as well as those who are rich. Don’t be afraid of anyone’s anger, for the decision you make is God’s decision. Bring me any cases that are too difficult for you, and I will handle them.’
- Deuteronomy 16:19You must never twist justice or show partiality. Never accept a bribe, for bribes blind the eyes of the wise and corrupt the decisions of the godly.
- Proverbs 24:23Here are some further sayings of the wise: It is wrong to show favoritism when passing judgment.
- Matthew 22:16They sent some of their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to meet with him. “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You teach the way of God truthfully. You are impartial and don’t play favorites.
- 2 Samuel 14:17Yes, my lord the king will give us peace of mind again.’ I know that you are like an angel of God in discerning good from evil. May the Lord your God be with you.”
- Acts 12:22The people gave him a great ovation, shouting, “It’s the voice of a god, not of a man!”
- Acts 24:2When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented the charges against Paul in the following address to the governor: “You have provided a long period of peace for us Jews and with foresight have enacted reforms for us.
Commentaries on Job 32:21
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 21Let me not - accept any man's person - I will speak the truth without fear or favor. Neither let me give flattering titles - I will not give epithets to any man that are not descriptive of his true state. I will not beguile him by telling him he is what he is not. אכנה acanneh, from כנה canah, is generally supposed to signify to surname, to put a name to or upon a name, as the French word surnom implies. It means to give proud titles to persons who are…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21Let me not, I pray you - This is not to be regarded as an address to them, or a prayer to God, but as an expression of his determination. It is similar to the phrase which we use when we say, “may I never do this;” implying the strongest possible purpose not to do it. Elihu means to say that on no account would he use partiality or flattery in what he said. Accept any man‘s person - Treat any with partiality. That is, “I will not be influenced by rank…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15-22Verses 15-22 If we are sure that the Spirit of God suggested what we are about to say, still we ought to refrain, till it comes to our turn to speak. God is the God of order, not of confusion. It is great refreshment to a good man, to speak for the glory of the Lord, and to edify others. And the more we consider the majesty of God, as our Maker, and the more we dread his wrath and justice, the less shall we sinfully fear or flatter men. Could we set the…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-22After three rounds of speeches between Job and his friends, a new voice speaks. Elihu, a young man, has listened to everything the others said.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2121. "May I never accept," &c. Elihu alludes to Job's words (Job 13:8, 10), wherein he complains that the friends plead for God partially, "accepting His person." Elihu says he will not do so, but will act impartially between God and Job. "And I will not give flattery," &c. (Pr 24:23).Read the comment
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In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Job 32
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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