Job 8

1 Then in response, Bildad from Shuah said:ISV — Job 8:1

2 “How long will you keep talking like this? How long will you keep talking like a wind storm?ISV — Job 8:2

3 Does God pervert justice? Does the Almighty pervert what’s right?ISV — Job 8:3

4 “If your children sin against him, he’ll make them a prisoner ^{a8:4 Lit. he’ll place them into the hand} of their sins.ISV — Job 8:4

5 If you seek God, if you ask the Almighty for mercy,ISV — Job 8:5

6 if you are clean and upright, surely then, he’ll act on your behalf and restore your rightful ^{b8:6 Lit. and bring peace to your righteous} place.ISV — Job 8:6

7 Your beginning may be small, but later years ^{c8:7 Lit. days} will be very great.ISV — Job 8:7

8 “Inquire of the previous generation, won’t you please? Consider what their forefathers searched out.ISV — Job 8:8

9 Because we are of yesterday and we know nothing, for our time on earth is only a shadow.ISV — Job 8:9

10 Won’t they instruct you, and tell you, and bring out words from the heart?ISV — Job 8:10

11 “Can papyrus grow where there’s no marsh? Can reeds flourish without water?ISV — Job 8:11

12 While they are still green and not yet ready to be harvested, they wither before any plant.ISV — Job 8:12

13 Such are the paths of everyone who forgets God— the hope of the godless will be destroyed:ISV — Job 8:13

14 his confidence is shattered; his trust is in a spider’s web.ISV — Job 8:14

15 He leans against his house, but it won’t stand; he grabs hold of it firmly, but it doesn’t last.ISV — Job 8:15

16 He is a fresh sapling planted in the sunlight, spreading out its branches over its garden.ISV — Job 8:16

17 Its roots weave around a pile of stones, seeking to entrench itself among the rocks.ISV — Job 8:17

18 If he is uprooted ^{d8:18 Lit. is swallowed up} from his place, then it will deny him: ‘I never saw you.’ISV — Job 8:18

19 “Indeed, this is the benefit of God’s ^{e8:19 Lit. his} way: from the soil other plants ^{f8:19 The Heb. lacks plants} will sprout.ISV — Job 8:19

20 Surely God won’t reject those who are blameless or hold hands with those who practice evil.ISV — Job 8:20

21 He will soon fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips will shout with joy.ISV — Job 8:21

22 Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, and the tent of the wicked will no longer exist.ISV — Job 8:22