Job 8
Bildad’s First Speech to Job1
8:1 Then Bildad the Shuhite spoke up and said:
8:2 “How long will you speak these things,2
seeing3 that the words of your mouth
8:3 Does God pervert6 justice?7
Or does the Almighty pervert8 what is right?
8:4 If9 your children sinned against him,
he gave them over10 to the penalty11 of their sin.
8:5 But12 if you will look13 to God,
and make your supplication14 to the Almighty,
8:6 if you become15 pure16 and upright,17
even now he will rouse himself18 for you,
and will restore19 your righteous abode.20
8:7 Your beginning21 will seem so small,
since your future will flourish.22
8:8 “For inquire now of the former23 generation,
and pay attention24 to the findings25
of their ancestors;26
8:9 For we were born yesterday27 and do not have knowledge,
since our days on earth are but a shadow.28
8:10 Will they not29 instruct you and30 speak to you,
and bring forth words31
from their understanding?32
8:11 Can the papyrus plant grow tall33 where there is no marsh?
Can reeds flourish34 without water?
8:12 While they are still beginning to flower35
and not ripe for cutting,36
they can wither away37
8:13 Such is the destiny40 of all who forget God;
the hope of the godless41 perishes,
8:14 whose42 trust43 is in something futile,44
whose security is a spider’s web.45
8:15 He leans against his house but it does not hold up,46
he takes hold47 of it but it does not stand.
8:16 He is a well-watered plant48 in49 the sun,
its shoots spread50 over its garden.51
8:17 It wraps its roots around a heap52 of stones53
and it looks54 for a place among stones.55
8:18 If he is uprooted56 from his place,
then that place57 will disown him, saying,58
‘I have never seen you!’
8:19 Indeed, this is the joy of his way,59
and out of the earth60 others spring up.61
8:20 “Surely, God does not reject a blameless man,62
nor does he grasp the hand63
of the evildoers.
8:21 He will yet64 fill your mouth with laughter,65
and your lips with gladness.
8:22 Those who hate you66 will be clothed with shame,67
and the tent of the wicked will be no more.”