以利户的回答

32 三人见约伯自以为义,便不再回答他。 那时,兰族的布西人巴拉迦的儿子以利户对约伯很恼火,因为约伯自以为义,不承认上帝的公义。 他对约伯的三个朋友也很恼火,因为他们说约伯有罪,却无法回答约伯的质问[a] 由于不及他们年长,以利户便等他们说完才向约伯发言。 他见三人无法回答约伯,很恼火, 就说:

“我年纪轻,你们是长辈,
所以我畏惧,不敢陈明观点。
我想,前辈当先发言,
长者当传授智慧。
但只有人里面的灵——
全能者的气息赐人悟性。
长者不一定有智慧,
年老不一定明白是非。
10 因此,请听我说,
我也要陈明观点。
11 看啊,我一直等候你们发言,
倾听你们的理论,
等你们斟词酌句。
12 我仔细聆听,
发现你们无人能驳倒约伯,
无人能答复他。
13 你们不要说,‘我们找到了智慧,
使他折服的是上帝而非人。’
14 约伯没有与我辩论,
我也不会用你们的理论答复他。

15 “他们惊慌失措,无言以对,
再也说不出话来。
16 难道他们不说话,站在那里无言以对,
我就要等下去吗?
17 我也要作出答复,
陈明我的观点。
18 因为我心里积满了话,
我里面的灵催促我说出来。
19 我里面像盛满了酒,却没有出口,
又如将要破裂的新酒袋。
20 我要一吐为快,
我要开口答复。
21 我不看人的情面,
也不奉承人。
22 我不善奉承,
否则,造物主会很快把我除掉。

Footnotes

  1. 32:3 因为他们说约伯有罪,却无法回答约伯的质问”有古卷作“因为他们无法回答约伯的质问,因而置上帝于不公”。

32 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

Then 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.

Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.

Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.

When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled.

And 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.

I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.

But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.

10 Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion.

11 Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.

12 Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words:

13 Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man.

14 Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.

15 They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.

16 When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)

17 I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion.

18 For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.

19 Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.

20 I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.

21 Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man.

22 For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.

Elihu

32 So these three men stopped answering Job,(A) because he was righteous in his own eyes.(B) But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite,(C) of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself(D) rather than God.(E) He was also angry with the three friends,(F) because they had found no way to refute Job,(G) and yet had condemned him.[a](H) Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job because they were older than he.(I) But when he saw that the three men had nothing more to say, his anger was aroused.

So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said:

“I am young in years,
    and you are old;(J)
that is why I was fearful,
    not daring to tell you what I know.
I thought, ‘Age should speak;
    advanced years should teach wisdom.’(K)
But it is the spirit[b](L) in a person,
    the breath of the Almighty,(M) that gives them understanding.(N)
It is not only the old[c] who are wise,(O)
    not only the aged(P) who understand what is right.(Q)

10 “Therefore I say: Listen to me;(R)
    I too will tell you what I know.(S)
11 I waited while you spoke,
    I listened to your reasoning;
while you were searching for words,
12     I gave you my full attention.
But not one of you has proved Job wrong;
    none of you has answered his arguments.(T)
13 Do not say, ‘We have found wisdom;(U)
    let God, not a man, refute(V) him.’
14 But Job has not marshaled his words against me,(W)
    and I will not answer him with your arguments.

15 “They are dismayed and have no more to say;
    words have failed them.(X)
16 Must I wait, now that they are silent,
    now that they stand there with no reply?
17 I too will have my say;
    I too will tell what I know.(Y)
18 For I am full of words,
    and the spirit(Z) within me compels me;(AA)
19 inside I am like bottled-up wine,
    like new wineskins ready to burst.(AB)
20 I must speak and find relief;
    I must open my lips and reply.(AC)
21 I will show no partiality,(AD)
    nor will I flatter anyone;(AE)
22 for if I were skilled in flattery,
    my Maker(AF) would soon take me away.(AG)

Footnotes

  1. Job 32:3 Masoretic Text; an ancient Hebrew scribal tradition Job, and so had condemned God
  2. Job 32:8 Or Spirit; also in verse 18
  3. Job 32:9 Or many; or great