Job 8
Bildad Speaks
1Then Bildad the Shuhite replied:23How long will you go on saying these things? Your words are a blast of wind.4
5Does God pervert justice? Does the Almighty pervert what is right?6
7Since your children sinned against him, he gave them over to their rebellion.8
9But if you earnestly seek God and ask the Almighty for mercy,10
11if you are pure and upright, then he will move even now on your behalf and restore the home where your righteousness dwells.12
13Then, even if your beginnings were modest, your final days will be full of prosperity.14
15For ask the previous generation, and pay attention to what their ancestors discovered,16
17since we were born only yesterday and know nothing. Our days on earth are but a shadow.18
19Will they not teach you and tell you and speak from their understanding?20
21Does papyrus grow where there is no marsh? Do reeds flourish without water?22
23While still uncut shoots, they would dry up quicker than any other plant.24
25Such is the destiny of all who forget God; the hope of the godless will perish.26
27His source of confidence is fragile; what he trusts in is a spider’s web.28
29He leans on his web, but it doesn’t stand firm. He grabs it, but it does not hold up.30
31He is a well-watered plant in the sunshine; his shoots spread out over his garden.32
33His roots are intertwined around a pile of rocks. He looks for a home among the stones.34
35If he is uprooted from his place, it will deny knowing him, saying, “I never saw you.”36
37Surely this is the joy of his way of life; yet others will sprout from the dust.38
39Look, God does not reject a person of integrity, and he will not support evildoers.40
41He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with a shout of joy.42
43Your enemies will be clothed with shame; the tent of the wicked will no longer exist.44