Home -> Major Sections of the Bible -> Job 32:1 - Job 37:24
The Speeches of Elihu
Job 32:1 - Job 37:24
Elihu Rebukes Job and His Three Friends
1
So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
2
Then the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled against Job. His wrath was kindled because he justified himself rather than God.
3
Also his wrath was kindled against his three friends, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
4
Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were elder than he.
5
When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled.
6
Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered,"I am young, and you are very old;Therefore I held back, and didn't dare show you my opinion.
7
I said, 'Days should speak,and multitude of years should teach wisdom.'
8
But there is a spirit in man,and the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding.
9
It is not the great who are wise,nor the aged who understand justice.
10
Therefore I said, 'Listen to me;I also will show my opinion.'
11
"Behold, I waited for your words,and I listened for your reasoning,while you searched out what to say.
12
Yes, I gave you my full attention,but there was no one who convinced Job,or who answered his words, among you.
13
Beware lest you say, 'We have found wisdom,God may refute him, not man;'
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for he has not directed his words against me;neither will I answer him with your speeches.
15
"They are amazed. They answer no more.They don't have a word to say.
16
Shall I wait, because they don't speak,because they stand still, and answer no more?
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I also will answer my part,and I also will show my opinion.
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For I am full of words.The spirit within me constrains me.
19
Behold, my breast is as wine which has no vent;like new wineskins it is ready to burst.
20
I will speak, that I may be refreshed.I will open my lips and answer.
21
Please don't let me respect any man's person,neither will I give flattering titles to any man.
22
For I don't know how to give flattering titles;or else my Maker would soon take me away.
Elihu Declares God Calls Man to Repentance by Visions and Afflictions
1
"However, Job, please hear my speech,and listen to all my words.
2
See now, I have opened my mouth.My tongue has spoken in my mouth.
3
My words shall utter the uprightness of my heart.That which my lips know they shall speak sincerely.
4
The Spirit of God has made me,and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
5
If you can, answer me.Set your words in order before me, and stand up.
6
Behold, I am toward God even as you are.I am also formed out of the clay.
7
Behold, my terror shall not make you afraid,neither shall my pressure be heavy on you.
8
"Surely you have spoken in my hearing,I have heard the voice of your words, saying,
9
'I am clean, without disobedience.I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me.
10
Behold, he finds occasions against me.He counts me for his enemy.
11
He puts my feet in the stocks.He marks all my paths.'
12
"Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not just,for God is greater than man.
13
Why do you strive against him,because he doesn't give account of any of his matters?
14
For God speaks once,yes twice, though man pays no attention.
15
In a dream, in a vision of the night,when deep sleep falls on men,in slumbering on the bed;
16
Then he opens the ears of men,and seals their instruction,
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That he may withdraw man from his purpose,and hide pride from man.
18
He keeps back his soul from the pit,and his life from perishing by the sword.
19
He is chastened also with pain on his bed,with continual strife in his bones;
20
So that his life abhors bread,and his soul dainty food.
21
His flesh is so consumed away, that it can't be seen.His bones that were not seen stick out.
22
Yes, his soul draws near to the pit,and his life to the destroyers.
23
"If there is beside him an angel,an interpreter, one among a thousand,to show to man what is right for him;
24
then God is gracious to him, and says,'Deliver him from going down to the pit,I have found a ransom.'
25
His flesh shall be fresher than a child's.He returns to the days of his youth.
26
He prays to God, and he is favorable to him,so that he sees his face with joy.He restores to man his righteousness.
27
He sings before men, and says,'I have sinned, and perverted that which was right,and it didn't profit me.
28
He has redeemed my soul from going into the pit.My life shall see the light.'
29
"Behold, God does all these things,twice, yes three times, with a man,
30
to bring back his soul from the pit,that he may be enlightened with the light of the living.
31
Mark well, Job, and listen to me.Hold your peace, and I will speak.
32
If you have anything to say, answer me.Speak, for I desire to justify you.
33
If not, listen to me.Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom."
Elihu Accuses Job for Charging God with Injustice
1
Moreover Elihu answered,
2
"Hear my words, you wise men.Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.
3
For the ear tries words,as the palate tastes food.
4
Let us choose for us that which is right.Let us know among ourselves what is good.
5
For Job has said, 'I am righteous,God has taken away my right:
6
Notwithstanding my right I am considered a liar.My wound is incurable, though I am without disobedience.'
7
What man is like Job,who drinks scorn like water,
8
Who goes in company with the workers of iniquity,and walks with wicked men?
9
For he has said, 'It profits a man nothingthat he should delight himself with God.'
10
"Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding:far be it from God, that he should do wickedness,from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
11
For the work of a man he will render to him,and cause every man to find according to his ways.
12
Yes surely, God will not do wickedly,neither will the Almighty pervert justice.
13
Who put him in charge of the earth?or who has appointed him over the whole world?
14
If he set his heart on himself,If he gathered to himself his spirit and his breath,
15
all flesh would perish together,and man would turn again to dust.
16
"If now you have understanding, hear this.Listen to the voice of my words.
17
Shall even one who hates justice govern?Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty?-
18
Who says to a king, 'Vile!'or to nobles, 'Wicked!'?
19
Who doesn't respect the persons of princes,nor respects the rich more than the poor;for they all are the work of his hands.
20
In a moment they die, even at midnight.The people are shaken and pass away.The mighty are taken away without a hand.
21
"For his eyes are on the ways of a man.He sees all his goings.
22
There is no darkness, nor thick gloom,where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23
For he doesn't need to consider a man further,that he should go before God in judgment.
24
He breaks in pieces mighty men in ways past finding out,and sets others in their place.
25
Therefore he takes knowledge of their works.He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
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He strikes them as wicked menin the open sight of others;
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because they turned aside from following him,and wouldn't pay attention to any of his ways,
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so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him.He heard the cry of the afflicted.
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When he gives quietness, who then can condemn?When he hides his face, who then can see him?Alike whether to a nation, or to a man,
30
that the godless man may not reign,that there be no one to ensnare the people.
31
"For has any said to God,'I am guilty, but I will not offend any more.
32
Teach me that which I don't see.If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'?
33
Shall his recompense be as you desire, that you refuse it?For you must choose, and not I.Therefore speak what you know.
34
Men of understanding will tell me,yes, every wise man who hears me:
35
'Job speaks without knowledge.His words are without wisdom.'
36
I wish that Job were tried to the end,because of his answering like wicked men.
37
For he adds rebellion to his sin.He claps his hands among us,and multiplies his words against God."
Many Cry in Affliction, But Are Not Heard for Lack of Faith
1
Moreover Elihu answered,
2
"Do you think this to be your right,or do you say, 'My righteousness is more than God's,'
3
That you ask, 'What advantage will it be to you?What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned?'
4
I will answer you,and your companions with you.
5
Look to the heavens, and see.See the skies, which are higher than you.
6
If you have sinned, what effect do you have against him?If your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him?
7
If you are righteous, what do you give him?Or what does he receive from your hand?
8
Your wickedness may hurt a man as you are,and your righteousness may profit a son of man.
9
"By reason of the multitude of oppressions they cry out.They cry for help by reason of the arm of the mighty.
10
But no one says, 'Where is God my Maker,who gives songs in the night,
11
who teaches us more than the animals of the earth,and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?'
12
There they cry, but no one gives answer,because of the pride of evil men.
13
Surely God will not hear an empty cry,neither will the Almighty regard it.
14
How much less when you say you don't see him.The cause is before him, and you wait for him!
15
But now, because he has not visited in his anger,neither does he greatly regard arrogance.
16
Therefore Job opens his mouth with empty talk,and he multiplies words without knowledge."
Elihu Shows How Job's Sins Hinder God's Blessings
1
Elihu also continued, and said,
2
"Bear with me a little, and I will show you;for I still have something to say on God's behalf.
3
I will get my knowledge from afar,and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
4
For truly my words are not false.One who is perfect in knowledge is with you.
5
"Behold, God is mighty, and doesn't despise anyone.He is mighty in strength of understanding.
6
He doesn't preserve the life of the wicked,but gives to the afflicted their right.
7
He doesn't withdraw his eyes from the righteous,but with kings on the throne,he sets them forever, and they are exalted.
8
If they are bound in fetters,and are taken in the cords of afflictions,
9
then he shows them their work,and their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly.
10
He also opens their ears to instruction,and commands that they return from iniquity.
11
If they listen and serve him,they shall spend their days in prosperity,and their years in pleasures.
12
But if they don't listen, they shall perish by the sword;they shall die without knowledge.
13
"But those who are godless in heart lay up anger.They don't cry for help when he binds them.
14
They die in youth.Their life perishes among the unclean.
15
He delivers the afflicted by their affliction,and opens their ear in oppression.
16
Yes, he would have allured you out of distress,into a wide place, where there is no restriction.That which is set on your table would be full of fatness.
17
"But you are full of the judgment of the wicked.Judgment and justice take hold of you.
18
Don't let riches entice you to wrath,neither let the great size of a bribe turn you aside.
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Would your wealth sustain you in distress,or all the might of your strength?
20
Don't desire the night,when people are cut off in their place.
21
Take heed, don't regard iniquity;for you have chosen this rather than affliction.
22
Behold, God is exalted in his power.Who is a teacher like him?
23
Who has prescribed his way for him?Or who can say, 'You have committed unrighteousness?'
24
"Remember that you magnify his work,whereof men have sung.
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All men have looked on it.Man sees it afar off.
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Behold, God is great, and we don't know him.The number of his years is unsearchable.
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For he draws up the drops of water,which distill in rain from his vapor,
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Which the skies pour downand which drop on man abundantly.
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Yes, can any understand the spreading of the clouds,and the thunderings of his pavilion?
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Behold, he spreads his light around him.He covers the bottom of the sea.
31
For by these he judges the people.He gives food in abundance.
32
He covers his hands with the lightning,and commands it to strike the mark.
33
Its noise tells about him,and the livestock also concerning the storm that comes up.
Elihu Says God is to be Feared Because of His Great Works
1
"Yes, at this my heart trembles,and is moved out of its place.
2
Hear, oh, hear the noise of his voice,the sound that goes out of his mouth.
3
He sends it out under the whole sky,and his lightning to the ends of the earth.
4
After it a voice roars.He thunders with the voice of his majesty.He doesn't hold back anything when his voice is heard.
5
God thunders marvelously with his voice.He does great things, which we can't comprehend.
6
For he says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth;'likewise to the shower of rain,and to the showers of his mighty rain.
7
He seals up the hand of every man,that all men whom he has made may know it.
8
Then the animals take cover,and remain in their dens.
9
Out of its room comes the storm,and cold out of the north.
10
By the breath of God, ice is given,and the width of the waters is frozen.
11
Yes, he loads the thick cloud with moisture.He spreads abroad the cloud of his lightning.
12
It is turned around by his guidance,that they may do whatever he commands themon the surface of the habitable world,
13
Whether it is for correction, or for his land,or for loving kindness, that he causes it to come.
14
"Listen to this, Job.Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
15
Do you know how God controls them,and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine?
16
Do you know the workings of the clouds,the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?
17
You whose clothing is warm,when the earth is still by reason of the south wind?
18
Can you, with him, spread out the sky,which is strong as a cast metal mirror?
19
Teach us what we shall tell him,for we can't make our case by reason of darkness.
20
Will it be told him that I would speak?Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up?
21
Now men don't see the light which is bright in the skies,but the wind passes, and clears them.
22
Out of the north comes golden splendor.With God is awesome majesty.
23
We can't reach the Almighty.He is exalted in power.In justice and great righteousness, he will not oppress.
24
Therefore men revere him.He doesn't regard any who are wise of heart."
