Job 8
Bildad tells Job that God does not pervert justice and that if Job's children sinned, they were punished for it. Bildad advises Job to approach God with purity and honesty, and if he does, God will restore his righteousness and prosperity. Bildad uses the example of plants that wither without water to illustrate the fate of those who forget God, and he warns that the wicked will ultimately be punished and the righteous will be rewarded.
But Baldad the Suhite, responding, saidHow long will you speak this way, so that the words of your mouth are like a changeable windDoes God supplant judgment, or does the Almighty subvert that which is justAnd if now your children have sinned against him, and he has dismissed them into the power of their iniquityeven so, you should arise early to God, so as to beseech the AlmightyIf you approach with purity and honesty, he will quickly be attentive to you, and a peaceful life will repay your righteousnessso much so that, if your former things were small, your latter things would be multiplied greatlyFor inquire of the earliest generation, and investigate diligently the history of the fathers(of course, we are but of yesterday and are ignorant that our days on earth are like a shadow,and they will teach you; they will speak with you and will offer you the eloquence of their heartsCan the marsh plant live without moisture? Or can sedges grow without waterWhen it is still in flower, and has not been pulled up by hand, it withers before all other plantsJust so are the ways of all who forget God, and the hope of the hypocrite will perishHis frenzy will not please him, and his faith will be like a spider’s webHe will lean on his house, and it will not stand; he will prop it up, but it will not riseHe seems to have moisture before the sun arrives; and at sunrise, his sprout shoots forthHis roots will crowd together over a heap of stones, and among the stones he will remainIf someone is devoured right beside him, he will deny him and will say: "I do not know you.For this is the benefit of his way, that others in turn may spring up from the earthGod will not discard the simple, nor will he extend his hand to the spitefuleven until your mouth is filled with laughter and your lips with rejoicingThose who hate you, will be clothed with confusion, and the tabernacle of the impious will not continue
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