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Bildad’s First Response to Job

Then[a] Bildad the Shuhite answered and said,[b]

How long[c] will you say these things,
and the words of your mouth be a mighty wind?
Does God pervert justice,
or[d] Shaddai pervert righteousness?
If your children sinned against him,
then[e] he sent them into the power[f] of their transgression.
If you yourself[g] would seek God,
then[h] you would plead to Shaddai for grace.
If you are pure and upright,
indeed,[i] now he will rouse himself for you,
and he will restore your righteous abode.
Though[j] your beginning was small,
your end[k] will be very great.

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Footnotes

  1. Job 8:1 Hebrew “And”
  2. Job 8:1 Hebrew “he said”
  3. Job 8:2 Literally “Until when”
  4. Job 8:3 Literally “and if”
  5. Job 8:4 Hebrew “and”
  6. Job 8:4 Literally “hand”
  7. Job 8:5 Emphatic personal pronoun
  8. Job 8:5 Hebrew “and”
  9. Job 8:6 Or “even,” or “yes”
  10. Job 8:7 Hebrew “And”
  11. Job 8:7 Hebrew “and your end”

Bildad defends God

Bildad from Shuah responded:

How long will you mouth such things
    such that your utterances become a strong wind?
Does God pervert justice,
    or does the Almighty distort what is right?
If your children sinned against him,
    then he delivered them into the power of their rebellion.
If you will search eagerly for God,
    plead with the Almighty.
If you are pure and do the right thing,
    then surely he will become active on your behalf
    and reward your innocent dwelling.
Although your former state was ordinary,
    your future will be extraordinary.

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