“I am young in years,

and you are old;

that is why I was fearful,

not daring to tell you what I know.

7I thought, ‘Age should speak;

advanced years should teach wisdom.’

8But it is the spirit ^b in a person,

the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.

9It is not only the old ^c who are wise,

not only the aged who understand what is right.

10“Therefore I say: Listen to me;

I too will tell you what I know.

11I waited while you spoke,

I listened to your reasoning;

while you were searching for words,

12I gave you my full attention.

But not one of you has proved Job wrong;

none of you has answered his arguments.

13Do not say, ‘We have found wisdom;

let God, not a man, refute him.’

14But Job has not marshaled his words against me,

and I will not answer him with your arguments.

15“They are dismayed and have no more to say;

words have failed them.

16Must I wait, now that they are silent,

now that they stand there with no reply?

17I too will have my say;

I too will tell what I know.

18For I am full of words,

and the spirit within me compels me;

19inside I am like bottled-up wine,

like new wineskins ready to burst.

20I must speak and find relief;

I must open my lips and reply.

21I will show no partiality,

nor will I flatter anyone;

22for if I were skilled in flattery,

my Maker would soon take me away.