Job 8:3-13
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 8
3Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert what is right? 4If your sons sinned against Him, Then He turned them over to the power of their wrongdoing. 5If you will search for God And implore the compassion of the Almighty, 6If you are pure and upright, Surely now He will stir Himself for you And restore your righteous estate. 7Though your beginning was insignificant, Yet your end will increase greatly. 8'Please inquire of past generations, And consider the things searched out by their fathers. 9For we are only of yesterday and know nothing, Because our days on earth are as a shadow. 10Will they not teach you and tell you, And bring forth words from their minds? 11'Can papyrus grow tall without a marsh? Can the rushes grow without water? 12While it is still green and not cut down, Yet it withers before any other plant. 13So are the paths of all who forget God; And the hope of the godless will perish,King James Version
Chapter 8
3Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice? 4If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their transgression; 5If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty; 6If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous. 7Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.
8For inquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers:
9(For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow:)
10Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, and utter words out of their heart?
11Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water?
12Whilst it is yet in his greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb.
13So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish:
Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 8
3Does God pervert justice? Does the Almighty pervert what is right? 4Since your children sinned against him, he gave them over to their rebellion. 5But if you earnestly seek God and ask the Almighty for mercy, 6if you are pure and upright, then he will move even now on your behalf and restore the home where your righteousness dwells.
7Then, even if your beginnings were modest, your final days will be full of prosperity.
8For ask the previous generation, and pay attention to what their ancestors discovered,
9since we were born only yesterday and know nothing. Our days on earth are but a shadow.
10Will they not teach you and tell you and speak from their understanding?
11Does papyrus grow where there is no marsh? Do reeds flourish without water?
12While still uncut shoots, they would dry up quicker than any other plant.
New Living Translation
Chapter 8
3Does God twist justice? Does the Almighty twist what is right? 4Your children must have sinned against him, so their punishment was well deserved. 5But if you pray to God and seek the favor of the Almighty, 6and if you are pure and live with integrity, he will surely rise up and restore your happy home. 7And though you started with little, you will end with much.English Standard Version
Chapter 8
3Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert the right? 4If your children have sinned against him, he has delivered them into the hand of their transgression. 5If you will seek God and plead with the Almighty for mercy, 6if you are pure and upright, surely then he will rouse himself for you and restore your rightful habitation. 7And though your beginning was small, your latter days will be very great. 8“For inquire, please, of bygone ages, and consider what the fathers have searched out. 9For we are but of yesterday and know nothing, for our days on earth are a shadow. 10Will they not teach you and tell you and utter words out of their understanding? 11“Can papyrus grow where there is no marsh? Can reeds flourish where there is no water? 12While yet in flower and not cut down, they wither before any other plant. 13Such are the paths of all who forget God; the hope of the godless shall perish.New International Version
Chapter 8
3Does God pervert justice? Does the Almighty pervert what is right? 4When your children sinned against him, he gave them over to the penalty of their sin. 5But if you will seek God earnestly and plead with the Almighty, 6if you are pure and upright, even now he will rouse himself on your behalf and restore you to your prosperous state.
7Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be.
8Ask the former generation and find out what their ancestors learned,
9for we were born only yesterday and know nothing, and our days on earth are but a shadow.
10Will they not instruct you and tell you? Will they not bring forth words from their understanding?
11Can papyrus grow tall where there is no marsh? Can reeds thrive without water?
12While still growing and uncut, they wither more quickly than grass.
13Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so perishes the hope of the godless.
New King James Version