Bible in Basic English
But truly it is the spirit in man, even the breath of the Ruler of all, which gives them knowledge.
It is not the old who are wise, and those who are full of years have not the knowledge of what is right.
So I say, Give ear to me, and I will put forward my knowledge.
I was waiting for your words, I was giving ear to your wise sayings; while you were searching out what to say,
I was taking note; and truly not one of you was able to make clear Job's error, or to give an answer to his words.
Take care that you do not say, Wisdom is here; God may overcome him, but not man.
I will not put forward words like these, or make use of your sayings in answer to him.
Fear has overcome them, they have no more answers to give; they have come to an end of words.
And am I to go on waiting while they have nothing to say? while they keep quiet and give no more answers?
I will give my answer; I will put forward my knowledge:
For I am full of words, I am unable to keep in my breath any longer:
My stomach is like wine which is unable to get out; like skins full of new wine, it is almost burst.
Let me say what is in my mind, so that I may get comfort; let me give answer with open mouth.
Let me not give respect to any man, or give names of honour to any living.
For I am not able to give names of honour to any man; and if I did, my Maker would quickly take me away.
— Job 32:8-1964, Bible in Basic English
“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. Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion. Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say. Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words: Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man. Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches. They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking. When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;) I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion. For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me. Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles. I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer. Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man. For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away. ”
“But it is a spirit in people, the breath of the Almighty, that makes them understand. It is not the aged who are wise, nor old men who understand what is right. Therefore I say,‘Listen to me. I, even I, will explain what I know.’ Look, I waited for you to speak; I listened closely to your wise thoughts, while you were searching for words. Now I was paying you close attention, yet there was no one proving Job wrong, not one of you was answering his statements! So do not say,‘We have found wisdom! God will refute him, not man!’ Job has not directed his words to me, and so I will not reply to him with your arguments. Job’s Friends Failed to Answer“They are dismayed and cannot answer any more; they have nothing left to say. And I have waited. But because they do not speak, because they stand there and answer no more, I too will answer my part, I too will explain what I know. For I am full of words, and the spirit within me constrains me. Inside I am like wine which has no outlet, like new wineskins ready to burst! I will speak, so that I may find relief; I will open my lips, so that I may answer. I will not show partiality to anyone, nor will I confer a title on any man. for I do not know how to give honorary titles, if I did, my Creator would quickly do away with me.”
And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men, he was very angry.
And Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, made answer and said, I am young, and you are very old, so I was in fear, and kept myself from putting my knowledge before you.
I said to myself, It is right for the old to say what is in their minds, and for those who are far on in years to give out wisdom.
But truly it is the spirit in man, even the breath of the Ruler of all, which gives them knowledge.
It is not the old who are wise, and those who are full of years have not the knowledge of what is right.
So I say, Give ear to me, and I will put forward my knowledge.
I was waiting for your words, I was giving ear to your wise sayings; while you were searching out what to say,
I was taking note; and truly not one of you was able to make clear Job's error, or to give an answer to his words.
Take care that you do not say, Wisdom is here; God may overcome him, but not man.
I will not put forward words like these, or make use of your sayings in answer to him.
Fear has overcome them, they have no more answers to give; they have come to an end of words.
And am I to go on waiting while they have nothing to say? while they keep quiet and give no more answers?
I will give my answer; I will put forward my knowledge:
For I am full of words, I am unable to keep in my breath any longer:
My stomach is like wine which is unable to get out; like skins full of new wine, it is almost burst.
Let me say what is in my mind, so that I may get comfort; let me give answer with open mouth.
Let me not give respect to any man, or give names of honour to any living.
For I am not able to give names of honour to any man; and if I did, my Maker would quickly take me away.