Chapter 8

Then answered⁴ Bildad the Shuhite, and said,⁴

How long wilt thou speak¹⁷ these [things]? and [how long shall] the words of thy mouth [be like] a strong wind?

Doth God pervert¹⁷ judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert¹⁷ justice?

If thy children have sinned¹ against him, and he have cast them away¹⁷ for their transgression;

If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes,¹⁷ and make thy supplication¹⁰¹ to the Almighty;

If thou [wert] pure and upright; surely now he would awake⁵⁵ for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.¹⁴

Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.⁴

For enquire,³ I pray thee, of the former ⁷²²³ age, and prepare³³ thyself to the search of their fathers:

(For we [are but of] yesterday, and know⁴ nothing, because our days upon earth [are] a shadow:)

Shall not they teach⁵⁵ thee, [and] tell⁴ thee, and utter⁵⁵ words out of their heart?

Can the rush grow up⁴ without mire? can the flag grow⁴ without water?

Whilst it [is] yet in his greenness, [and] not cut down,¹¹ it withereth⁴ before any [other] herb.

So [are] the paths of all that forget⁶ God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish:⁴

Whose hope shall be cut off,⁴ and whose trust [shall be] a spider's web.

He shall lean¹¹ upon his house, but it shall not stand:⁴ he shall hold⁵⁵ it fast, but it shall not endure.⁴

He [is] green before the sun, and his branch shooteth forth⁴ in his garden.

His roots are wrapped about²⁹ the heap, [and] seeth⁴ the place of stones.

If he destroy¹⁷ him from his place, then [it] shall deny¹⁴ him, [saying], I have not seen¹ thee.

Behold, this [is] the joy of his way, and out of the earth shall others grow.⁴

Behold, God will not cast away⁴ a perfect [man], neither will he help^{55 3027} the evil doers:⁵⁶

Till he fill¹⁷ thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing.

They that hate⁶ thee shall be clothed⁴ with shame; and the dwelling place of the wicked shall come to nought.