New Living Translation NLT
Common English Bible CEB
1 Then Bildad the Shuhite replied to Job:
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Bildad from Shuah responded:
2 “How long will you go on like this? You sound like a blustering wind.
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How long will you mouth such things such that your utterances become a strong wind?
3 Does God twist justice? Does the Almighty twist what is right?
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Does God pervert justice, or does the Almighty distort what is right?
4 Your children must have sinned against him, so their punishment was well deserved.
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If your children sinned against him, then he delivered them into the power of their rebellion.
5 But if you pray to God and seek the favor of the Almighty,
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If you will search eagerly for God, plead with the Almighty.
6 and if you are pure and live with integrity, he will surely rise up and restore your happy home.
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If you are pure and do the right thing, then surely he will become active on your behalf and reward your innocent dwelling.
7 And though you started with little, you will end with much.
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Although your former state was ordinary, your future will be extraordinary.
8 “Just ask the previous generation. Pay attention to the experience of our ancestors.
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Ask a previous generation and verify the findings of your ancestors,
9 For we were born but yesterday and know nothing. Our days on earth are as fleeting as a shadow.
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for we are only recently here and don't know because our days on earth are a shadow.
10 But those who came before us will teach you. They will teach you the wisdom of old.
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Won't they instruct you and tell you; will words not proceed from their hearts?
11 “Can papyrus reeds grow tall without a marsh? Can marsh grass flourish without water?
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Does papyrus grow apart from a marsh? Does a reed flourish without water?
12 While they are still flowering, not ready to be cut, they begin to wither more quickly than grass.
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While still tender, uncut, it will wither before every other grass.
13 The same happens to all who forget God. The hopes of the godless evaporate.
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So are the paths of all who forget God. Hope perishes for the godless,
14 Their confidence hangs by a thread. They are leaning on a spider’s web.
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whose confidence is a fragile thing, their trust, a spider's web.
15 They cling to their home for security, but it won’t last. They try to hold it tight, but it will not endure.
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He leans on its web, and it doesn't stand; grasps it, and it can't remain in place.
16 The godless seem like a lush plant growing in the sunshine, its branches spreading across the garden.
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It's like a well-watered plant in the sun; its runners spread over its gardens.
17 Its roots grow down through a pile of stones; it takes hold on a bed of rocks.
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Its roots are entwined over a pile of rocks, for it sees a home among stones.
18 But when it is uprooted, it’s as though it never existed!
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If it's uprooted from its place, it lies, saying, "I can't see you."
19 That’s the end of its life, and others spring up from the earth to replace it.
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Surely its way is a joy, for from the dust other plants sprout.
20 “But look, God will not reject a person of integrity, nor will he lend a hand to the wicked.
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Surely God won't reject integrity, won't strengthen the hand of the wicked.
21 He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.
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He will still fill your mouth with joy, your lips with a victorious shout.
22 Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, and the home of the wicked will be destroyed.”
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Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, and the tent of the wicked will vanish.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible