HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 841
JOB 32
page 471
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did they not praise me
for providing wool clothing to keep them
warm?
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“If I raised my hand against an orphan,
knowing the judges would take my side,
then let my shoulder be wrenched out of
place!
Let my arm be torn from its socket!
That would be better than facing God’s
judgment.
For if the majesty of God opposes me,
what hope is there?
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“Have I put my trust in money
or felt secure because of my gold?
Have I gloated about my wealth
and all that I own?
“Have I looked at the sun shining in the
skies,
or the moon walking down its silver
pathway,
and been secretly enticed in my heart
to throw kisses at them in worship?
If so, I should be punished by the judges,
for it would mean I had denied the God
of heaven.
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Job’s words are ended.
Elihu Responds to Job’s Friends
Job’s three friends refused to reply further to him because he kept insisting on
his innocence.
2 Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the
clan of Ram, became angry. He was angry because Job refused to admit that he had sinned
and that God was right in punishing him. 3 He
was also angry with Job’s three friends, for they
made God* appear to be wrong by their inability
to answer Job’s arguments. 4 Elihu had waited
for the others to speak to Job because they were
older than he. 5 But when he saw that they had
no further reply, he spoke out angrily. 6 Elihu
son of Barakel the Buzite said,
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“Have I ever rejoiced when disaster struck
my enemies,
or become excited when harm came
their way?
No, I have never sinned by cursing anyone
or by asking for revenge.
“My servants have never said,
‘He let others go hungry.’
I have never turned away a stranger
but have opened my doors to everyone.
“Have I tried to hide my sins like other
people do,
concealing my guilt in my heart?
Have I feared the crowd
or the contempt of the masses,
so that I kept quiet and stayed indoors?
“If only someone would listen to me!
Look, I will sign my name to my defense.
Let the Almighty answer me.
Let my accuser write out the charges
against me.
I would face the accusation proudly.
I would wear it like a crown.
For I would tell him exactly what I have
done.
I would come before him like a prince.
“If my land accuses me
and all its furrows cry out together,
or if I have stolen its crops
or murdered its owners,
32:3 As in ancient Hebrew scribal tradition; the Masoretic Text
reads Job. 32:8 Or Spirit; also in 32:18.
then let thistles grow on that land instead
of wheat,
and weeds instead of barley.”
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“I am young and you are old,
so I held back from telling you what I
think.
I thought, ‘Those who are older should
speak,
for wisdom comes with age.’
But there is a spirit* within people,
the breath of the Almighty within them,
that makes them intelligent.
Sometimes the elders are not wise.
Sometimes the aged do not understand
justice.
So listen to me,
and let me tell you what I think.
“I have waited all this time,
listening very carefully to your arguments,
listening to you grope for words.
I have listened,
but not one of you has refuted Job
or answered his arguments.
And don’t tell me, ‘He is too wise for us.
Only God can convince him.’
If Job had been arguing with me,
I would not answer with your kind
of logic!
You sit there baffled,
with nothing more to say.
Should I continue to wait, now that you
are silent?
Must I also remain silent?
No, I will say my piece.
I will speak my mind.
For I am full of pent-up words,
and the spirit within me urges me on.
I am like a cask of wine without a vent,
like a new wineskin ready to burst!
I must speak to find relief,
so let me give my answers.
I won’t play favorites
or try to flatter anyone.