Job 8:11-22

Common English Bible

¹¹ Does papyrus grow apart from a marsh?
    Does a reed flourish without water?
¹²         While still tender, uncut,
        it will wither before every other grass.
¹³ So are the paths of all who forget God.
    Hope perishes for the godless,
¹⁴     whose confidence is a fragile thing,^[a]
        their trust, a spider’s web.
¹⁵ He leans on its web, and it doesn’t stand;
    grasps it, and it can’t remain in place.
¹⁶ It’s like a well-watered plant in the sun;
    its runners spread over its gardens.
¹⁷ Its roots are entwined over a pile of rocks,
    for it sees a home among stones.
¹⁸ If it’s uprooted from its place,
    it lies, saying, “I can’t see you.”
¹⁹ Surely its way is a joy,
    for from the dust other plants^[b] sprout.

²⁰ Surely God won’t reject integrity,
    won’t strengthen the hand of the wicked.
²¹ 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 tent of the wicked will vanish.