¶ So these three men ceased to answer¹ Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

Then was kindled² the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite³, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because⁴ he justified himself⁵ rather than God.

Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because⁶ they had found no answer, and yet⁷ had condemned Job.

Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken⁸, because they were elder⁹ than he.

When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath¹⁰ was kindled.

¶ And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am¹¹ young¹², and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not¹³ shew you mine opinion.

¹⁴I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.

But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration¹⁵ of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

Great¹⁶ men are not always wise: neither¹⁷ do the aged understand judgment.

¶¹⁸Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion.

Behold, I waited for¹⁹ your words; I gave ear to your reasons²⁰, whilst²¹ ye searched out what to say²².

Yea, I attended unto you,²³ and, behold,²⁴ there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words:

Lest²⁵ ye should say, We²⁶ have found out wisdom: God²⁷ thrusteth him down, not man.

Now he hath not directed²⁸ his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches²⁹.

¶ They were amazed³⁰, they answered no more: they left off speaking³¹.

³²When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)

³³I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion.

For I am full of matter³⁴, the spirit within me³⁵ constraineth me.

Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent³⁶; it is ready to burst like new bottles.

¶ I will speak³⁷, that I may be refreshed³⁸: I will open my lips and answer.

Let me not, I pray you, accept³⁹ any man's person, neither let me give flattering⁴⁰ titles unto man.

For I know not⁴¹ to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.