Job
Chapter 32
The three friends give up arguing with Job, and a younger man named Elihu speaks for the first time. He is angry at Job for defending himself instead of God, and angry at the friends for condemning Job without answering him. Elihu explains that he stayed quiet because he was young, but says wisdom does not come from age alone. He says he cannot hold his words in any longer, and he promises to flatter no one.
Plain reading written for preteens. Clear and complete, at about a fifth grade reading level.
So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
1So these three men stopped answering Job, because Job was sure he was in the right.
2Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.
2Then a man named Elihu got angry. He was the son of Barachel the Buzite, from the family of Ram. He was angry at Job for defending himself instead of God.
3Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
3He was also angry at Job's three friends. They had not proved Job wrong, yet they still said he was guilty.
"Found no answer" here means they could not prove Job wrong, not that they said nothing.
4Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.
4Elihu had waited until Job finished speaking, because the other men were all older than he was.
5When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled.
5But when Elihu saw that the three men had nothing more to say, he got angry.
6And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion.
6So Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite spoke up: "I am young, and you are old. That is why I held back and was afraid to tell you what I think.
7I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.
7I thought that older people should do the talking. Many years of living should teach a person wisdom.
8But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
8But there is a spirit in a person. The breath of God, the Almighty, is what gives someone understanding.
9Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.
9It is not only important people who are wise. The old do not always know what is right.
10Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion.
10So I say, listen to me. I will tell you what I think too.
11Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.
11Look, I waited while you talked. I listened to your reasons while you searched for the right words.
12Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words:
12I paid close attention to you. But not one of you proved Job wrong or answered what he said.
13Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man.
13So do not say, "We have found the answer. Let God prove Job wrong, since no man can."
14Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.
14Job did not aim his words at me. And I will not answer him the way you did.
15They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.
15They are stunned. They have nothing more to say. The words have run out.
16When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)
16I waited while they said nothing. They just stood there and gave no answer.
17I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion.
17So I said, I will speak up too. I will say what I think.
18For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.
18I am full of words. The spirit inside me is pushing me to speak.
19Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.
19Look, inside I feel like wine with no way to escape. I am about to split like a new wineskin.
In Bible times, wine was stored in bags made of animal skin. New wine gives off gas as it ages, and the bag stretches tight and can burst.
20I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.
20I have to speak so I can feel better. I will open my mouth and answer.
21Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man.
21I will not take anyone's side just because of who he is. I will not flatter any man.
"Accept any man's person" was old English for showing favoritism, taking someone's side because of who he is.
22For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.
22I do not even know how to flatter. If I did, God who made me would soon take me away."
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