“I even paid close attention to [what] you [said], Indeed, not one of you convinced Job [nor could you refute him], Not one of you supplied [satisfactory] answers to his words.

“Beware if you say, ‘We have found wisdom; God thrusts Job down [justly], not man [for God alone is dealing with him].’

“Now Job has not directed his words against me [therefore I have no reason to be offended], Nor will I answer him with arguments like yours. [I speak for truth, not for revenge.]

“They (Job’s friends) are dismayed and embarrassed, they no longer answer; The words have moved away and failed them,” [says Elihu].

Elihu Claims to Speak for God

“However, Job, please listen to my words, And pay attention to everything I say.

“For God speaks once, And even twice, yet no one notices it [including you, Job].

“Pay attention, Job, listen to me; Keep silent, and I will speak.

“For Job has said, ‘I am righteous [and innocent], But God has taken away my right;

“What man is like Job, Who drinks up derision like water,

‘Job speaks without knowledge, And his words are without wisdom and insight.

‘Job ought to be tried to the limit Because he answers like wicked men!

Elihu Sharply Reproves Job

Elihu continued speaking [to Job] and said,

Job uselessly opens his mouth And multiplies words without knowledge [drawing the worthless conclusion that the righteous have no more advantage than the wicked].”

“But you [Job] were full of judgment on the wicked, Judgment and justice take hold of you.

“Listen to this, Job; Stand still and consider the wonders of God.

“Tell us [Job] what words [of man] shall we say to such a Being; We cannot state our case because of darkness [that is, our ignorance in the presence of the unsearchable God].

God Speaks Now to Job

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said,

“Can you [Job] hunt the prey for the lion, Or satisfy the appetite of the young lions

“Have you [Job] made him leap like a locust? The majesty of his snorting [nostrils] is terrible.

Job: What Can I Say?

Then the Lord said to Job,

Then Job replied to the Lord and said,

God Questions Job

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, saying,

“[If you can do all this, Job, proving your divine power] then I [God] will also praise you and acknowledge That your own right hand can save you.

“He looks on everything that is high [without terror]; He is monarch over all the sons of pride. [And now, Job, who are you who does not dare to disturb the beast, yet who dares resist Me, the beast’s creator? Everything under the heavens is Mine; therefore, who can have a claim against God?]”

Job’s Confession

Then Job answered the Lord and said,