< Job 8 >

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

< Job 8 >