Job 8

1Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,

2How long wilt thou speak these things? and how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind?

3Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?

4If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their transgression;footnote a

5If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty;

6If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.

7Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.

8For enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers:

9(For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow:)footnote b

10Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, and utter words out of their heart?

11Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water?

12Whilst it is yet in his greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb.

13So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite’s hope shall perish:

14Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider’s web.footnote c

15He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure.

16He is green before the sun, and his branch shooteth forth in his garden.

17His roots are wrapped about the heap, and seeth the place of stones.

18If he destroy him from his place, then it shall deny him, saying, I have not seen thee.

19Behold, this is the joy of his way, and out of the earth shall others grow.

20Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers:footnote dfootnote e

21Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing.footnote f

22They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame; and the dwelling place of the wicked shall come to nought.footnote g

Bildad: Job Should Repent

1Then Bildad the Shuhite replied:

2“How long will you go on saying such things?The words of your mouth are a blustering wind. 3Does God pervert justice?Does the Almighty pervert what is right? 4When your children sinned against Him,He gave them over to their rebellion. 5But if you would earnestly seek Godand ask the Almighty for mercy, 6if you are pure and upright,even now He will rouse Himself on your behalfand restore your righteous estate. 7Though your beginnings were modest,your latter days will flourish.

8Please inquire of past generationsand consider the discoveries of their fathers. 9For we were born yesterday and know nothing;our days on earth are but a shadow. 10Will they not teach you and tell you,and speak from their understanding? 11Does papyrus grow where there is no marsh?Do reeds flourish without water? 12While the shoots are still uncut,they dry up more quickly than grass.

13Such is the destiny of all who forget God;so the hope of the godless will perish. 14His confidence is fragile;his security is in a spider’s web. 15He leans on his web, but it gives way;he holds fast, but it does not endure. 16He is a well-watered plant in the sunshine,spreading its shoots over the garden. 17His roots wrap around the rock heap;he looks for a home among the stones. 18If he is uprooted from his place,it will disown him, saying, ‘I never saw you.’ 19Surely this is the joy of his way;yet others will spring from the dust.

20Behold, God does not reject the blameless,nor will He strengthen the hand of evildoers. 21He will yet fill your mouth with laughter,and your lips with a shout of joy. 22Your enemies will be clothed in shame,and the tent of the wicked will be no more.”