1 Job's three friends stopped responding to him because he kept on protesting his innocence. 2 Then Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, grew angry. He was angry with Job for claiming he was right rather than God. 3 Elihu was also angry at Job's three friends because they made it seem that God was wrong, because they had not been able to answer Job.[a] 4 Elihu had waited to for the other three to speak with Job since they were older than he was. 5 But when he saw that they could not answer Job, he grew very angry. 6 Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, said, “I am young, and you are old, which is why I was reluctant to tell you what I know. 7 I told myself, ‘Those who are older should speak—those who are elderly should teach wisdom.’ 8 However, there is a spirit[b] in human beings, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding. 9 It is not the old who are wise, or the elderly who know what is right. 10 That's why I'm telling you to listen to me now—let me tell you what I know. 11 Well, I waited to hear what you had to say, listening for your insights as you looked for the right words to speak. 12 I paid close attention to all of you, and none of you have proved Job wrong or answered his arguments. 13 Don't say to yourselves, ‘We are so wise,’[c] for God will prove him wrong, not a human being. 14 Job didn't line up his arguments against me, and I won't answer him the way you did. 15 You sit there speechless[d] with nothing left to say. 16 Should I continue to wait since you're no longer talking, just standing there saying nothing? 17 No—now I'll give my answer too. I'll tell you what I know. 18 I have so much to say I can't hold the words back![e] 19 Inside I'm like fermenting wine all bottled up; like new wineskins ready to explode! 20 I have to speak before I burst;[f] I will open my lips to answer him. 21 I will not take sides, and I'm not going to flatter anyone. 22 I don't know how to flatter, and if I did my Creator would soon destroy me.