Paraphrase on the Book of Job, Chapter 32
CHAP. XXXII.
1. FOr these three foresaid men1. So these three men ceased to answer Iob, because he was righteous in his owne eyes. seeing they could not prevaile with Job to be otherwaies opinionated of himselfe then as an upright & innocent man, gave over now at last to presse any more upon him.
2. Elihu the sonne of Barachel, who2. Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the sonne of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of of Ram: against Iob was his wrath kindled, because hee justified himselfe rather than God. came of Buz, the sonne of Nahor, who was the brother of Abraham, having heard all that had past betweene Job and his three friends was moved with indignation against both him and them. Now the reason why hee was angry with Job, was not because hee maintained his owne integrity against his friends, but because he over-eyed his owne righteousnesse to the lessening of Gods, pleading it too farre (not onelyonly against his friends, but) even to God him selfe in the way of expostulation, and therewith questioning his righteousnesse in so dealing with him, in stead of acknowledging it, and admiring his waies.
3. And the reason why he was also3. Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Iob. angry with Iobs three friends, was, because they could not directly taxe Iob, nor convincingly prove against him, that which all this while upon a bare surmise they had accused him of, namely, of being an hypocrite and and wicked man.
4. Now Elihu (though with childe4. How Elihu had waited till Iob had spoken, because they were elder than hee. to speake) yet had modestly bridled his desire till Iob had fully ended his last and long reply, nor had hee ever offered to interrupt the discourse of Iobs three friends in all this time, or put himselfe in amongst them; for being all his Elders, he gave them precedency of speech.
5. But when he had heard out Iob, 5. When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these threemen, then his wrath was kindled.and saw that those three men were gravelled, and that for all that they had said against him, they were now at last (for want of cleare conviction) faine to leave him as they found him, to wit, a righteous man, and innocent of the hypocrisie and crimes they laid to his charge. He hereupon was provoked to utter his minde.
6. And thus at last, Elihu the sonne6. And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, answered, and said, I am young, and yee are very old, wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion. of the a foresaid Barachel the Buzite put forth himselfe to speake as followeth: I am conscious to my selfe of my youth, together with the weaknesses accompanying it, and of your precedencie of age, and the advantages which usually attend it, which did awe me from speaking all this while, so that I durst not shew mine opinion in so weighty a businesse, nor before such grave personages, till that I had heard all that you could say.
7. For though my youthfull desire7. I said, daies should speake, and multitude of yeeres should teach wisedome. prompted me to speake, yet I checked it, and refrained my selfe, giving leave (as was fitting) for those who were my ancients to speake first, who I thought in all probability knew therefore best how wisely to instruct the erring.
8. But though age hath oddes of8. But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. youth, yet one man as well as another hath a spirit of understanding, (reason and judgement) in him, whereby through supply of speciall inspiration from God that can doe all things, hee may be able to know that which want of yeeres denies him.
9. Wisdome is the gift of God, and9. Great men are not alwaies wise: neither doe the aged understand judgement. therefore those men alwaies have it not that we thinke are the likeliest; for we see great men, who have advantage of meanes and education, are not alwaies the wisest men, neither the aged that have advantage of time and experience, have alwaies proportionable understanding and judgement, but may, and doe both of them come short (at least in some things) of their inferiours.
10. My spirit therefore being inspired10. Therefore I said, hearken to me, I also will shew mine opinion. of God, and also stirred up by him to speake, and having noted your errours, notwithstanding your ages, I am bold to take leave to challenge your attentions, till I also give my judgement, and take my turne in this cause.
11. Know you all, that I have not11. Behold, I waited for your words; I gave eare to your reasons, whilest you searched out what to say. slept the while I have beene silent, but diligently waited for, and attended to all you said; I seriously considered the reasons and arguments which fell from you, which I perceived all this while to be the best you could invent to evince your adversary.
12. Yea, I purposely hearkened to12. Yea, I attended unto you: and behold, there was none of you that convinced Iob, or that answered his words: you to have had some convincing reasons from you of that you accused Job, but the truth is, (for so farre I must take his part) there is not any one of you, that hath convincingly proved that you alleged against him, nor answered that which hee hath said for himselfe.
13. God hath given him the victory,13. Lest yee should say, Wee have found out Wisedome; God thrusteth him downe; not man. that you might see the weaknesse of your argument, and not continue confident in your erroneous maxime, as if it were an unerring truth. That Job must needs be a wicked hypocrite, because God, who is just and all-seeing, and cannot doe wrong, nor mistake as man may, does afflict him.
14. Now, as hitherto I have given14. Now, hee hath not directed his words against me; neither will I answer him with your speeches. Job no cause by siding with you to say any thing against me, so neither will I now doe it; for I utterly dislike your course, and therefore will neither take up your Theme against him to condemne him for an hypocrite, nor use your argument to prove it, because of Gods afflicting him; for I hold it a meere Sophisme.
15. They that should have spoken15. They were amazed, they answered no more; they left off speaking. to Jobs reply, fell to wondring at him in stead of convincing him with further and better arguments; for indeed, having no more to say, they were forced to give over their feeble reasoning.
16. So that when I had waited for16. When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still and answered no more.) their answer as at other times, but heard none from them (for they were all silent and made no reply.)
17. I was resolved hereupon to take17. I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion. the matter in hand, to answer Job my selfe, and to give mine opinion in the businesse.
18. For I have much to say, and18. For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me. many reasons to urge against him in Gods behalfe, and my mind standeth vehemently to utter them.
19. Yea, I cannot hold, I even swell19. Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent, it is ready to burst like new bottels. with desire to speake my mind, that Iob may be humbled, and God glorified.
20. I must needs therefore speake20. I will speake, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer. to ease my spirit, yea, I both must, and will make answer for God.
21. In whose businesse, let it not21. Let me not, I pray you, accept any mans person, neither let mee give flattering titles unto man. be expected from mee to spare any mans fault out of respect to his person or condition, nor to sooth you up in your errours and mistakes, with faire words, and flattering encomiums.
22. For I am not skilled in the way22. For I know not to give flattering titles, in so doing, my Maker would soone take mee away. of flattery, nor durst I use it, if I were, for in so doing, I know I should provoke the omniscient God that made mee, and who hateth such things, to be avenged on mee with speedy destruction.