Job 8
1 Then Bildad the Shuhite replied:
Then Bildad the Shuhite spoke up and said,
2 “How long will you go on saying such things? The words of your mouth are a blustering wind.
“How much longer will you go on talking like this? The words coming out of your mouth are a lot of hot air!
3 Does God pervert justice? Does the Almighty pervert what is right?
Does God pervert justice? Does the Almighty pervert what is right?
4 When your children sinned against Him, He gave them over to their rebellion.
Your children must have sinned against him, and so they deserved the punishment he inflicted on them.
5 But if you would earnestly seek God and ask the Almighty for mercy,
But if you pray to God and ask for his help,
6 if you are pure and upright, even now He will rouse Himself on your behalf and restore your righteous estate.
if you live a clean life and do what is right, then he would act to make things right for you in your home.
7 Though your beginnings were modest, your latter days will flourish.
Though you began with next to nothing, you will end up with so much!
8 Please inquire of past generations and consider the discoveries of their fathers.
Why don't you ask what previous generations discovered, examine what our ancestors found out? We were born yesterday and don't know anything!
9 For we were born yesterday and know nothing; our days on earth are but a shadow.
Our days on earth fade as quickly as a passing shadow.
10 Will they not teach you and tell you, and speak from their understanding?
Won't they teach you and explain what they know?
11 Does papyrus grow where there is no marsh? Do reeds flourish without water?
Can papyrus grow where there is no marsh? Can reeds grow without water?
12 While the shoots are still uncut, they dry up quicker than grass.
Even without being cut, while they are still flowering, they wither faster than grass.
13 Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so the hope of the godless will perish.
This is what happens to everyone who forgets God. The hopes of those who live without God come to nothing.
14 His confidence is fragile; his security is in a spider’s web.
Their confidence is like holding on to a flimsy spider's web.
15 He leans on his web, but it gives way; he holds fast, but it does not endure.
They look to their home to provide security, but it provides no support. They try to hang onto it, but it doesn't last.
16 He is a well-watered plant in the sunshine, spreading its shoots over the garden.
Those who live without God are like a luxuriant plant growing in the sun, spreading its shoots all over the garden.
17 His roots wrap around the rock heap; he looks for a home among the stones.
It twists its roots down through the stones, and holds on to rock.
18 If he is uprooted from his place, it will disown him, saying, ‘I never saw you.’
But when it's cut down, the place where it was disowns it, saying, ‘I never even saw you.’
19 Surely this is the joy of his way; yet others will spring from the dust.
Its life is over, and others spring up from the earth to take its place.
20 Behold, God does not reject the blameless, nor will He strengthen the hand of evildoers.
Look, God doesn't reject someone who is innocent, and he doesn't support those who are guilty.
21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with a shout of joy.
He can make you laugh with happiness again and shout for joy.
22 Your enemies will be clothed in shame, and the tent of the wicked will be no more.”
Those who hate you will be put to shame, and the place where the wicked live will be destroyed.”
