Job 8

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1} Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said,

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“How long will you say these things?
And will the words of your mouth be a mighty wind?

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3}

“Does God pervert justice?
Or does ^(a)the Almighty pervert righteousness?

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4}

“If your children have sinned against Him,
Then He has handed them over to the power of their transgression and punished them.

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5}

“If you would [diligently] seek God
And implore the compassion and favor of the Almighty,

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Then, if you are pure and upright,
Surely now He will awaken for you
And restore your righteous place.

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7}

“Though your beginning was insignificant,
Yet your end will greatly increase.

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8}

“Inquire, please, of past generations,
And consider and apply yourself to the things searched out by their fathers.

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“For we are only of yesterday and know nothing,
Because our days on earth are [like] a shadow [just a breath or a vapor].

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10}

“Will they (the fathers) not teach you and tell you,
And utter words from their hearts [the deepest part of their nature]?

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11}

“Can the papyrus grow up without a marsh?
Can the rushes or reed grass grow without water?

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12}

“While it is still green (in flower) and not cut down,
Yet it withers before any other plant [when without water].

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13}

“So are the paths of all who forget God;
And the hope of the godless will perish,

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For his confidence is fragile and breaks,
And his trust is [like] a spider’s web.

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“He trusts in his house, but it does not stand;
He holds tightly to it, but it does not endure.

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“He thrives and prospers [like a green plant] before the sun,
And his branches spread out over his garden.

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17}

“His [godless] roots are wrapped around a pile of rocks,
And he gazes at a house of stones.

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18}

“If he is snatched from his place [in the garden],
Then his place will forget him, saying, ‘I have never seen you.’

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19}

“Behold, this is the joy of His way;
And from out of the dust others will spring up and grow [to take his place].

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20}

“Behold, God will not reject a man of integrity,
Nor will He strengthen or support evildoers.

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21}

“He will yet fill your mouth with laughter
And your lips with joyful shouting [if you are found blameless].

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22}

“Those who hate you will be clothed with shame,
And the tents of the wicked will be no longer.”

a. Job 8:3: Heb Shaddai.