Job 8
1 Then Bildad the Shuhite replied:
Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said,
2 “How long will you go on saying such things? The words of your mouth are a blustering wind.
“How long will you say these things? How long will the words of your mouth be a mighty wind?
3 Does God pervert justice? Does the Almighty pervert what is right?
Does God pervert justice? Does the Almighty pervert righteousness?
4 When your children sinned against Him, He gave them over to their rebellion.
Your children have sinned against him; we know this, for he gave them into the hand of their sins.
5 But if you would earnestly seek God and ask the Almighty for mercy,
But suppose you diligently sought God and presented your request to the Almighty.
6 if you are pure and upright, even now He will rouse Himself on your behalf and restore your righteous estate.
If you are pure and upright, then he would surely stir himself on your behalf and restore you to your rightful place.
7 Though your beginnings were modest, your latter days will flourish.
Even though your beginning was small, still your final condition would be much greater.
8 Please inquire of past generations and consider the discoveries of their fathers.
Please ask the former generations, and give your attention to what our ancestors learned.
9 For we were born yesterday and know nothing; our days on earth are but a shadow.
(We were only born yesterday and know nothing because our days on earth are a shadow).
10 Will they not teach you and tell you, and speak from their understanding?
Will they not teach you and tell you? Will they not speak words from their hearts?
11 Does papyrus grow where there is no marsh? Do reeds flourish without water?
Can papyrus grow without a marsh? Can reeds grow without water?
12 While the shoots are still uncut, they dry up quicker than grass.
While they are still green and not cut down, they wither before any other plant.
13 Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so the hope of the godless will perish.
So also are the paths of all who forget God; the hope of the godless will perish.
14 His confidence is fragile; his security is in a spider’s web.
His confidence will break apart, and his trust is as weak as a spider's web.
15 He leans on his web, but it gives way; he holds fast, but it does not endure.
He leans on his house, but it will not support him; he takes hold of it, but it does not stand.
16 He is a well-watered plant in the sunshine, spreading its shoots over the garden.
Under the sun he is green, and his shoots go out over his entire garden.
17 His roots wrap around the rock heap; he looks for a home among the stones.
His roots are wrapped about the heaps of stone; they look for good places among the rocks.
18 If he is uprooted from his place, it will disown him, saying, ‘I never saw you.’
But if this person is destroyed out of his place, then that place will deny him and say, 'I never saw you.'
19 Surely this is the joy of his way; yet others will spring from the dust.
See, this is the “joy” of such a person's behavior; other plants will sprout out of the same soil in his place.
20 Behold, God does not reject the blameless, nor will He strengthen the hand of evildoers.
See, God will not cast away an innocent man; neither will he take the hand of evildoers.
21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with a shout of joy.
He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, your lips with shouting.
22 Your enemies will be clothed in shame, and the tent of the wicked will be no more.”
Those who hate you will be clothed with shame; the tent of the wicked will be no more.”
