Job 8:1-22

Job 8:1-22 The Message (MSG)

Bildad from Shuhah was next to speak: “How can you keep on talking like this? You’re talking nonsense, and noisy nonsense at that. Does God mess up? Does God Almighty ever get things backward? It’s plain that your children sinned against him— otherwise, why would God have punished them? Here’s what you must do—and don’t put it off any longer: Get down on your knees before God Almighty. If you’re as innocent and upright as you say, it’s not too late—he’ll come running; he’ll set everything right again, reestablish your fortunes. Even though you’re not much right now, you’ll end up better than ever. “Put the question to our ancestors, study what they learned from their ancestors. For we’re newcomers at this, with a lot to learn, and not too long to learn it. So why not let the ancients teach you, tell you what’s what, instruct you in what they knew from experience? Can mighty pine trees grow tall without soil? Can luscious tomatoes flourish without water? Blossoming flowers look beautiful before they’re cut or picked, but without soil or water they wither more quickly than grass. That’s what happens to all who forget God— all their hopes come to nothing. They hang their life from one thin thread, they hitch their fate to a spider web. One jiggle and the thread breaks, one jab and the web collapses. Or they’re like weeds springing up in the sunshine, invading the garden, Spreading everywhere, overtaking the flowers, getting a foothold even in the rocks. But when the gardener rips them out by the roots, the garden doesn’t miss them one bit. The sooner the godless are gone, the better; then good plants can grow in their place. “There’s no way that God will reject a good person, and there is no way he’ll help a bad one. God will let you laugh again; you’ll raise the roof with shouts of joy, With your enemies thoroughly discredited, their house of cards collapsed.”

Job 8:1-22 King James Version (KJV)

Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said, How long wilt thou speak these things? And how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind? Doth God pervert judgment? Or doth the Almighty pervert justice? If thy children have sinned against him, And he have cast them away for their transgression; If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, And make thy supplication to the Almighty; If thou wert pure and upright; Surely now he would awake for thee, And make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous. Though thy beginning was small, Yet thy latter end should greatly increase. For enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, And prepare thyself to the search of their fathers: (For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, Because our days upon earth are a shadow:) Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, And utter words out of their heart? Can the rush grow up without mire? Can the flag grow without water? Whilst it is yet in his greenness, and not cut down, It withereth before any other herb. So are the paths of all that forget God; And the hypocrite's hope shall perish: Whose hope shall be cut off, And whose trust shall be a spider's web. He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: He shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure. He is green before the sun, And his branch shooteth forth in his garden. His roots are wrapped about the heap, And seeth the place of stones. If he destroy him from his place, Then it shall deny him, saying, I have not seen thee. Behold, this is the joy of his way, And out of the earth shall others grow. Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, Neither will he help the evil doers: Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, And thy lips with rejoicing. They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame; And the dwelling place of the wicked shall come to nought.

Job 8:1-22 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)

Then Bildad the Shuhite answered, “How long will you say these things, And the words of your mouth be a mighty wind? Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert what is right? If your sons sinned against Him, Then He delivered them into the power of their transgression. If you would seek God And implore the compassion of the Almighty, If you are pure and upright, Surely now He would rouse Himself for you And restore your righteous estate. Though your beginning was insignificant, Yet your end will increase greatly. “Please inquire of past generations, And consider the things searched out by their fathers. For we are only of yesterday and know nothing, Because our days on earth are as a shadow. Will they not teach you and tell you, And bring forth words from their minds? “Can the papyrus grow up without a marsh? Can the rushes grow without water? While it is still green and not cut down, Yet it withers before any other plant. So are the paths of all who forget God; And the hope of the godless will perish, Whose confidence is fragile, And whose trust a spider’s web. He trusts in his house, but it does not stand; He holds fast to it, but it does not endure. He thrives before the sun, And his shoots spread out over his garden. His roots wrap around a rock pile, He grasps a house of stones. If he is removed from his place, Then it will deny him, saying, ‘I never saw you.’ Behold, this is the joy of His way; And out of the dust others will spring. Lo, God will not reject a man of integrity, Nor will He support the evildoers. He will yet fill your mouth with laughter And your lips with shouting. Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, And the tent of the wicked will be no longer.”

Job 8:1-22 New Century Version (NCV)

Then Bildad the Shuhite answered: “How long will you say such things? Your words are no more than wind. God does not twist justice; the Almighty does not make wrong what is right. Your children sinned against God, and he punished them for their sins. But you should ask God for help and pray to the Almighty for mercy. If you are good and honest, he will stand up for you and bring you back where you belong. Where you began will seem unimportant, because your future will be so successful. “Ask old people; find out what their ancestors learned, because we were only born yesterday and know nothing. Our days on earth are only a shadow. Those people will teach you and tell you and speak about what they know. Papyrus plants cannot grow where there is no swamp, and reeds cannot grow tall without water. While they are still growing and not yet cut, they will dry up quicker than grass. That is what will happen to those who forget God; the hope of the wicked will be gone. What they hope in is easily broken; what they trust is like a spider’s web. They lean on the spider’s web, but it breaks. They grab it, but it does not hold up. They are like well-watered plants in the sunshine that spread their roots all through the garden. They wrap their roots around a pile of rocks and look for a place among the stones. But if a plant is torn from its place, then that place rejects it and says, ‘I never saw you.’ Now joy has gone away; other plants grow up from the same dirt. “Surely God does not reject the innocent or give strength to those who do evil. God will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. Your enemies will be covered with shame, and the tents of the wicked will be gone.”

Job 8:1-22 American Standard Version (ASV)

Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said, How long wilt thou speak these things? And how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a mighty wind? Doth God pervert justice? Or doth the Almighty pervert righteousness? If thy children have sinned against him, And he hath delivered them into the hand of their transgression; If thou wouldest seek diligently unto God, And make thy supplication to the Almighty; If thou wert pure and upright: Surely now he would awake for thee, And make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous. And though thy beginning was small, Yet thy latter end would greatly increase. For inquire, I pray thee, of the former age, And apply thyself to that which their fathers have searched out (For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, Because our days upon earth are a shadow); Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, And utter words out of their heart? Can the rush grow up without mire? Can the flag grow without water? Whilst it is yet in its greenness, and not cut down, It withereth before any other herb. So are the paths of all that forget God; And the hope of the godless man shall perish: Whose confidence shall break in sunder, And whose trust is a spider’s web. He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: He shall hold fast thereby, but it shall not endure. He is green before the sun, And his shoots go forth over his garden. His roots are wrapped about the stone-heap, He beholdeth the place of stones. If he be destroyed from his place, Then it shall deny him, saying, I have not seen thee. Behold, this is the joy of his way; And out of the earth shall others spring. Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, Neither will he uphold the evil-doers. He will yet fill thy mouth with laughter, And thy lips with shouting. They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame; And the tent of the wicked shall be no more.

Job 8:1-22 New International Version (NIV)

Then Bildad the Shuhite replied: “How long will you say such things? Your words are a blustering wind. Does God pervert justice? Does the Almighty pervert what is right? When your children sinned against him, he gave them over to the penalty of their sin. But if you will seek God earnestly and plead with the Almighty, if you are pure and upright, even now he will rouse himself on your behalf and restore you to your prosperous state. Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be. “Ask the former generation and find out what their ancestors learned, for we were born only yesterday and know nothing, and our days on earth are but a shadow. Will they not instruct you and tell you? Will they not bring forth words from their understanding? Can papyrus grow tall where there is no marsh? Can reeds thrive without water? While still growing and uncut, they wither more quickly than grass. Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so perishes the hope of the godless. What they trust in is fragile; what they rely on is a spider’s web. They lean on the web, but it gives way; they cling to it, but it does not hold. They are like a well-watered plant in the sunshine, spreading its shoots over the garden; it entwines its roots around a pile of rocks and looks for a place among the stones. But when it is torn from its spot, that place disowns it and says, ‘I never saw you.’ Surely its life withers away, and from the soil other plants grow. “Surely God does not reject one who is blameless or strengthen the hands of evildoers. He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. Your enemies will be clothed in shame, and the tents of the wicked will be no more.”

Job 8:1-22 New King James Version (NKJV)

Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said: “How long will you speak these things, And the words of your mouth be like a strong wind? Does God subvert judgment? Or does the Almighty pervert justice? If your sons have sinned against Him, He has cast them away for their transgression. If you would earnestly seek God And make your supplication to the Almighty, If you were pure and upright, Surely now He would awake for you, And prosper your rightful dwelling place. Though your beginning was small, Yet your latter end would increase abundantly. “For inquire, please, of the former age, And consider the things discovered by their fathers; For we were born yesterday, and know nothing, Because our days on earth are a shadow. Will they not teach you and tell you, And utter words from their heart? “Can the papyrus grow up without a marsh? Can the reeds flourish without water? While it is yet green and not cut down, It withers before any other plant. So are the paths of all who forget God; And the hope of the hypocrite shall perish, Whose confidence shall be cut off, And whose trust is a spider’s web. He leans on his house, but it does not stand. He holds it fast, but it does not endure. He grows green in the sun, And his branches spread out in his garden. His roots wrap around the rock heap, And look for a place in the stones. If he is destroyed from his place, Then it will deny him, saying, ‘I have not seen you.’ “Behold, this is the joy of His way, And out of the earth others will grow. Behold, God will not cast away the blameless, Nor will He uphold the evildoers. He will yet fill your mouth with laughing, And your lips with rejoicing. Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, And the dwelling place of the wicked will come to nothing.”

Job 8:1-22 Amplified Bible (AMP)

Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said, “How long will you say these things? And will the words of your mouth be a mighty wind? Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert righteousness? If your children have sinned against Him, Then He has handed them over to the power of their transgression and punished them. If you would [diligently] seek God And implore the compassion and favor of the Almighty, Then, if you are pure and upright, Surely now He will awaken for you And restore your righteous place. Though your beginning was insignificant, Yet your end will greatly increase. “Inquire, please, of past generations, And consider and apply yourself to the things searched out by their fathers. For we are only of yesterday and know nothing, Because our days on earth are [like] a shadow [just a breath or a vapor]. Will they (the fathers) not teach you and tell you, And utter words from their hearts [the deepest part of their nature]? “Can the papyrus grow up without a marsh? Can the rushes or reed grass grow without water? While it is still green (in flower) and not cut down, Yet it withers before any other plant [when without water]. So are the paths of all who forget God; And the hope of the godless will perish, For his confidence is fragile and breaks, And his trust is [like] a spider’s web. He trusts in his house, but it does not stand; He holds tightly to it, but it does not endure. He thrives and prospers [like a green plant] before the sun, And his branches spread out over his garden. His [godless] roots are wrapped around a pile of rocks, And he gazes at a house of stones. If he is snatched from his place [in the garden], Then his place will forget him, saying, ‘I have never seen you.’ Behold, this is the joy of His way; And from out of the dust others will spring up and grow [to take his place]. Behold, God will not reject a man of integrity, Nor will He strengthen or support evildoers. He will yet fill your mouth with laughter And your lips with joyful shouting [if you are found blameless]. Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, And the tents of the wicked will be no longer.”

Job 8:1-22 New Living Translation (NLT)

Then Bildad the Shuhite replied to Job: “How long will you go on like this? You sound like a blustering wind. Does God twist justice? Does the Almighty twist what is right? Your children must have sinned against him, so their punishment was well deserved. But if you pray to God and seek the favor of the Almighty, and if you are pure and live with integrity, he will surely rise up and restore your happy home. And though you started with little, you will end with much. “Just ask the previous generation. Pay attention to the experience of our ancestors. For we were born but yesterday and know nothing. Our days on earth are as fleeting as a shadow. But those who came before us will teach you. They will teach you the wisdom of old. “Can papyrus reeds grow tall without a marsh? Can marsh grass flourish without water? While they are still flowering, not ready to be cut, they begin to wither more quickly than grass. The same happens to all who forget God. The hopes of the godless evaporate. Their confidence hangs by a thread. They are leaning on a spider’s web. They cling to their home for security, but it won’t last. They try to hold it tight, but it will not endure. The godless seem like a lush plant growing in the sunshine, its branches spreading across the garden. Its roots grow down through a pile of stones; it takes hold on a bed of rocks. But when it is uprooted, it’s as though it never existed! That’s the end of its life, and others spring up from the earth to replace it. “But look, God will not reject a person of integrity, nor will he lend a hand to the wicked. He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, and the home of the wicked will be destroyed.”

Job 8:1-22 English Standard Version 2016 (ESV)

Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said: “How long will you say these things, and the words of your mouth be a great wind? Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert the right? If your children have sinned against him, he has delivered them into the hand of their transgression. If you will seek God and plead with the Almighty for mercy, if you are pure and upright, surely then he will rouse himself for you and restore your rightful habitation. And though your beginning was small, your latter days will be very great. “For inquire, please, of bygone ages, and consider what the fathers have searched out. For we are but of yesterday and know nothing, for our days on earth are a shadow. Will they not teach you and tell you and utter words out of their understanding? “Can papyrus grow where there is no marsh? Can reeds flourish where there is no water? While yet in flower and not cut down, they wither before any other plant. Such are the paths of all who forget God; the hope of the godless shall perish. His confidence is severed, and his trust is a spider’s web. He leans against his house, but it does not stand; he lays hold of it, but it does not endure. He is a lush plant before the sun, and his shoots spread over his garden. His roots entwine the stone heap; he looks upon a house of stones. If he is destroyed from his place, then it will deny him, saying, ‘I have never seen you.’ Behold, this is the joy of his way, and out of the soil others will spring. “Behold, God will not reject a blameless man, nor take the hand of evildoers. He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting. Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, and the tent of the wicked will be no more.”