8 Bildad the Shuhite replies to Job:

² “How long will you go on like this, Job, blowing words around like wind? ³ Does God twist justice? ⁴ If your children sinned against him, and he punished them, ⁵ and you begged Almighty God for them— ⁶ if you were pure and good, he would hear your prayer and answer you and bless you with a happy home. ⁷ And though you started with little, you would end with much.

⁸ “Read the history books and see— ⁹ for we were born but yesterday and know so little; our days here on earth are as transient as shadows. ¹⁰ But the wisdom of the past will teach you. The experience of others will speak to you, reminding you that ^11-13 those who forget God have no hope. They are like rushes without any mire to grow in; or grass without water to keep it alive. Suddenly it begins to wither, even before it is cut. ¹⁴ A man without God is trusting in a spider’s web. Everything he counts on will collapse. ¹⁵ If he counts on his home for security, it won’t last. ¹⁶ At dawn he seems so strong and virile, like a green plant; his branches spread across the garden. ¹⁷ His roots are in the stream, down among the stones. ¹⁸ But when he disappears, he isn’t even missed! ¹⁹ That is all he can look forward to! And others spring up from the earth to replace him!

²⁰ “But look! God will not cast away a good man, nor prosper evildoers. ²¹ He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. ²² Those who hate you shall be clothed with shame, and the wicked destroyed.”