Job 8

1 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,

Then Bildad the Shuhite answered,

2 How long wilt thou speak these [things]? and [how long shall] the words of thy mouth [be like] a strong wind?

"How long will you speak these things? Shall the words of your mouth be a mighty wind?

3 Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?

Does God pervert justice? Or does Shaddai pervert righteousness?

4 If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their transgression;

If your children have sinned against him, He has delivered them into the hand of their disobedience.

5 If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty;

If you want to seek God diligently, make your petition to Shaddai.

6 If thou [wert] pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.

If you were pure and upright, surely now he would awaken for you, and make the habitation of your righteousness prosperous.

7 Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.

Though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would greatly increase.

8 For enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers:

"Please inquire of past generations. Find out about the learning of their fathers.

9 (For we [are but of] yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth [are] a shadow: )

(For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days on earth are a shadow.)

10 Shall not they teach thee, [and] tell thee, and utter words out of their heart?

Shall they not teach you, tell you, and utter words out of their heart?

11 Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water?

"Can the papyrus grow up without mire? Can the rushes grow without water?

12 Whilst it [is] yet in his greenness, [and] not cut down, it withereth before any [other] herb.

While it is yet in its greenness, not cut down, it withers before any other reed.

13 So [are] the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite’s hope shall perish:

So are the paths of all who forget God. The hope of the godless man shall perish,

14 Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust [shall be] a spider’s web.

Whose confidence shall break apart, Whose trust is 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.

He shall lean on his house, but it shall not stand. He shall cling to it, but it shall not endure.

16 He [is] green before the sun, and his branch shooteth forth in his garden.

He is green before the sun. His shoots go forth over his garden.

17 His roots are wrapped about the heap, [and] seeth the place of stones.

His roots are wrapped around the rock pile. He sees the place of stones.

18 If he destroy him from his place, then [it] shall deny him, [saying], I have not seen thee.

If he is destroyed from his place, then it shall deny him, saying, 'I have not seen you.'

19 Behold, this [is] the joy of his way, and out of the earth shall others grow.

Look, this is the joy of his way: out of the earth, others shall spring.

20 Behold, God will not cast away a perfect [man], neither will he help the evil doers:

"Look, God will not cast away a blameless man, neither will he uphold the evildoers.

21 Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing.

He will still fill your mouth with laughter, your lips with shouting.

22 They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame; and the dwelling place of the wicked shall come to nought.

Those who hate you shall be clothed with shame. The tent of the wicked shall be no more."