JobChapter 8
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1Then Bildad from Shuah answered: 2"How long will you keep saying such things?
The words of your mouth are just a blowing wind. 3Does God twist justice?
Does the Almighty twist what is right? 4When your children sinned against him,
he gave them over to their rebellion. 5But if you will seek God with all your heart,
and ask the Almighty for mercy, 6if you are pure and honest,
even now he will rise up to help you.
He will give you back your home, the home of a righteous man. 7Your start may have been small.
But your later days will be very rich. 8Please ask the people who lived long ago.
Think about what their fathers learned. 9For we were born only yesterday, and we know nothing.
Our days on earth are only a shadow. 10Won't they teach you and tell you?
Won't they speak from what they understand? 11Can papyrus grow where there is no swamp?
Can reeds grow tall without water? 12While they are still green and not yet cut,
they dry up faster than grass. 13That is what happens to all who forget God.
The hope of the godless will perish. 14What he trusts in breaks easily.
What he leans on is a spider's web. 15He leans on his web, but it gives way.
He holds on tight, but it does not last. 16He is like a plant with plenty of water in the sun.
It spreads its shoots all over the garden. 17Its roots wrap around a pile of rocks.
It looks for a home among the stones. 18But if it is pulled up from its place,
that place will act like it never knew it.
It will say, 'I never saw you.' 19Yes, that is all the joy his way brings.
And other plants will spring up from the dust. 20Know this: God does not turn away a man without blame.
And he will not give strength to those who do evil. 21He will still fill your mouth with laughing.
He will fill your lips with shouts of joy. 22Those who hate you will be dressed in shame.
The tent of the wicked will be gone."