| International Standard Version | Berean Study Bible |
| 1Then in response, Bildad from Shuah said: | 1Then Bildad the Shuhite replied: |
| 2"How long will you keep talking like this? How long will you keep talking like a wind storm? | 2“How long will you go on saying such things? The words of your mouth are a blustering wind. |
| 3Does God pervert justice? Does the Almighty pervert what's right? | 3Does God pervert justice? Does the Almighty pervert what is right? |
| 4"If your children sin against him, he'll make them a prisoner of their sins. | 4When your children sinned against Him, He gave them over to their rebellion. |
| 5If you seek God, if you ask the Almighty for mercy, | 5But if you would earnestly seek God and ask the Almighty for mercy, |
| 6if you are clean and upright, surely then, he'll act on your behalf and restore your rightful place. | 6if you are pure and upright, even now He will rouse Himself on your behalf and restore your righteous estate. |
| 7Your beginning may be small, but later years will be very great. | 7Though your beginnings were modest, your latter days will flourish. |
| 8"Inquire of the previous generation, won't you please? Consider what their forefathers searched out. | 8Please inquire of past generations and consider the discoveries of their fathers. |
| 9Because we are of yesterday and we know nothing, for our time on earth is only a shadow. | 9For we were born yesterday and know nothing; our days on earth are but a shadow. |
| 10Won't they instruct you, and tell you, and bring out words from the heart? | 10Will they not teach you and tell you, and speak from their understanding? |
| 11"Can papyrus grow where there's no marsh? Can reeds flourish without water? | 11Does papyrus grow where there is no marsh? Do reeds flourish without water? |
| 12While they are still green and not yet ready to be harvested, they wither before any plant. | 12While the shoots are still uncut, they dry up quicker than grass. |
| 13Such are the paths of everyone who forgets God— the hope of the godless will be destroyed: | 13Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so the hope of the godless will perish. |
| 14his confidence is shattered; his trust is in a spider's web. | 14His confidence is fragile; his security is in a spider’s web. |
| 15He leans against his house, but it won't stand; he grabs hold of it firmly, but it doesn't last. | 15He leans on his web, but it gives way; he holds fast, but it does not endure. |
| 16He is a fresh sapling planted in the sunlight, spreading out its branches over its garden. | 16He is a well-watered plant in the sunshine, spreading its shoots over the garden. |
| 17Its roots weave around a pile of stones, seeking to entrench itself among the rocks. | 17His roots wrap around the rock heap; he looks for a home among the stones. |
| 18If he is uprooted from his place, then it will deny him: 'I never saw you.' | 18If he is uprooted from his place, it will disown him, saying, ‘I never saw you.’ |
| 19"Indeed, this is the benefit of God's way: from the soil other plants will sprout. | 19Surely this is the joy of his way; yet others will spring from the dust. |
| 20Surely God won't reject those who are blameless or hold hands with those who practice evil. | 20Behold, God does not reject the blameless, nor will He strengthen the hand of evildoers. |
| 21He will soon fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips will shout with joy. | 21He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with a shout of joy. |
| 22Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, and the tent of the wicked will no longer exist. | 22Your enemies will be clothed in shame, and the tent of the wicked will be no more.” |
The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. | The Berean Bible (Berean Study Bible (BSB) © 2016, 2018 by Bible Hub and Berean.Bible. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. |
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