Job

The book of Job, chapter 8, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 8 New English Translation

Bildad's First Speech to Job

   1 Then Bildad the Shuhite spoke up and said:
   2 "How long will you speak these things, seeing that the words of your mouth are like a great wind?
   3 Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert what is right?
   4 If your children sinned against him, he gave them over to the penalty of their sin.
   5 But if you will look to God, and make your supplication to the Almighty,
   6 if you become pure and upright, even now he will rouse himself for you, and will restore your righteous abode.
   7 Your beginning will seem so small, since your future will flourish.
   8 "For inquire now of the former generation, and pay attention to the findings of their ancestors;
   9 For we were born yesterday and do not have knowledge, since our days on earth are but a shadow.
   10 Will they not instruct you and speak to you, and bring forth words from their understanding?
   11 Can the papyrus plant grow tall where there is no marsh? Can reeds flourish without water?
   12 While they are still beginning to flower and not ripe for cutting, they can wither away faster than any grass!
   13 Such is the destiny of all who forget God; the hope of the godless perishes,
   14 whose trust is in something futile, whose security is a spider's web.
   15 He leans against his house but it does not hold up, he takes hold of it but it does not stand.
   16 He is a well-watered plant in the sun, its shoots spread over its garden.
   17 It wraps its roots around a heap of stones and it looks for a place among stones.
   18 If he is uprooted from his place, then that place will disown him, saying, 'I have never seen you!'
   19 Indeed, this is the joy of his way, and out of the earth others spring up.
   20 "Surely, God does not reject a blameless man, nor does he grasp the hand of the evildoers.
   21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with gladness.
   22 Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, and the tent of the wicked will be no more."

King James Version

   1 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,
   2 How long wilt thou speak these things? and how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind?
   3 Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?
   4 If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their transgression;
   5 If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty;
   6 If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.
   7 Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.
   8 For 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:)
   10 Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, and utter words out of their heart?
   11 Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water?
   12 Whilst it is yet in his greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb.
   13 So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish:
   14 Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider's web.
   15 He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure.
   16 He is green before the sun, and his branch shooteth forth in his garden.
   17 His roots are wrapped about the heap, and seeth the place of stones.
   18 If he destroy him from his place, then it shall deny him, saying, I have not seen thee.
   19 Behold, this is the joy of his way, and out of the earth shall others grow.
   20 Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers:
   21 Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing.
   22 They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame; and the dwelling place of the wicked shall come to nought.