Elihu blander sig i samtalen
1De tre venner besluttede, at de ikke ville sige mere, for Job blev ved med at hævde sin uskyld.
2Men der var en fjerde ven, som havde lyttet til samtalen uden at sige noget. Han hed Elihu og var søn af Barakel af Rams slægt fra byen Buz. Han var opbragt over, at Job ville retfærdiggøre sig selv overfor Gud. 3Han var også vred på de tre venner, fordi de fordømte Job uden at kunne svare på hans spørgsmål. 4Fordi Elihu var yngre end de andre, ventede han, mens de talte med Job. 5Men da de tre venner ikke kunne give ham svar på tiltale, kunne Elihu ikke længere beherske sin vrede. Han sagde:
6„Jeg er meget yngre end jer,
så derfor holdt jeg mig tilbage
og tøvede med at sige min mening.
7Jeg tænkte: ‚Lad de ældre tale,
for livserfaring giver visdom.’
8Men det er Guds Ånd, der giver indsigt,
når det drejer sig om åndelige ting.
9Altså er det ikke kun et spørgsmål om alder.
De ældre er ikke nødvendigvis de klogeste.
10Derfor siger jeg: ‚Hør også på mig.
Lad mig sige, hvad jeg er kommet frem til.’
11Jeg ventede altså, mens I talte,
og lyttede til jeres kloge kommentarer,
mens I ledte efter ordene.
12Jeg lyttede meget opmærksomt,
men ingen af jer kunne overbevise Job
eller besvare hans spørgsmål.
13Sig nu ikke: ‚Han er for snedig for os.
Det bliver Guds sag at overbevise ham.’
14Hvis Job havde henvendt sig til mig,
ville jeg bestemt ikke have svaret ham, som I gjorde.
15Men nu er jeres ord sluppet op,
og I aner ikke, hvad I skal svare.
16Skal jeg da pænt sidde og vente på,
at I finder på noget at sige?
17Nej, nu vil jeg fortælle jer, hvad jeg mener,
sige, hvad selv en ung som jeg er klar over.
18Jeg er fuld af ord, der presser sig på,
og ånden i mit indre må have luft.
19Jeg er som en vinsæk, der er ved at sprænges
på grund af kraften fra den gærende vin.
20Jeg må give luft for mine indestængte ord,
åbne min mund og tale frit fra leveren.
21Jeg vil ikke tage parti for nogen af jer,
og jeg vil ikke smigre folk.
22Nej, jeg vil ikke gøre brug af smiger,
for så ville Gud straffe mig.
1So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.32.1 to…: Heb. from answering 2Then 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.32.2 himself: Heb. his soul 3Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. 4Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.32.4 waited…: Heb. expected Job in words32.4 elder: Heb. elder for days 5When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled.
6And 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.32.6 young: Heb. few of days32.6 durst…: Heb. feared 7I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom. 8But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. 9Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment. 10Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion. 11Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.32.11 reasons: Heb. understandings32.11 what…: Heb. words 12Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words: 13Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man. 14Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.32.14 directed: or, ordered
15They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.32.15 left…: Heb. removed speeches from themselves 16When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;) 17I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion. 18For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.32.18 matter: Heb. words32.18 spirit…: Heb. spirit of my belly 19Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.32.19 hath…: Heb. is not opened 20I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.32.20 be…: Heb. breathe 21Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man. 22For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.
