Bildad Speaks: Job Should Repent
1 Then
1Bildad the Shuhite answered and said:
2
"How long will you say these things, and the words of your mouth be a
2great wind?
3
3Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert the right?
4
If your
4children have sinned against him, he has delivered them into the hand of their transgression.
5
If you will seek God and
5plead with the Almighty for mercy,
6
if you are pure and upright, surely then he will
6rouse himself for you and
7restore your rightful habitation.
7
And though your beginning was small,
8your latter days will be very great.
8
"For
9inquire, please, of bygone ages, and consider what
10the fathers have searched out.
9
For we are but of yesterday and know nothing, for our days on earth are
11a shadow.
10
Will they not teach you and tell you and utter words out of their understanding?
11
"Can papyrus grow where there is no marsh? Can reeds flourish where there is no water?
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While yet in flower and not cut down, they
12wither before any other plant.
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Such are the paths of all who
13forget God;
14the hope of
15the godless shall perish.
14
His confidence is severed, and his trust is
16a spider's web.
15
He leans against his
17house, but it does not stand; he lays hold of it, but it does not endure.
16
He is a lush plant before the sun, and his
18shoots spread over his garden.
17
His roots entwine the stone heap; he looks upon a house of stones.
18
If he is destroyed from his
19place, then it will deny him, saying, 'I have never
20seen you.'
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Behold, this is the joy of his way, and out of
21the soil others will spring.
20
"Behold, God will not reject a blameless man, nor take the hand of evildoers.
21
He will yet
22fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting.
22
Those who hate you will be
23clothed with shame, and the tent of the wicked will be no more."