8:1   Are you finally through with your windy speech?

8:2   (SEE 8:1)

8:3   God never twists justice; he never fails to do what is right.

8:4   Your children must have sinned against God, and so he punished them as they deserved.

8:5   But turn now and plead with Almighty God;

8:6   if you are so honest and pure, then God will come and help you and restore your household as your reward.

8:7   All the wealth you lost will be nothing compared with what God will give you then.

8:8   Look for a moment at ancient wisdom; consider the truths our ancestors learned.

8:9   Our life is short, we know nothing at all; we pass like shadows across the earth.

8:10   But let the ancient wise people teach you; listen to what they had to say:

8:11   "Reeds can't grow where there is no water; they are never found outside a swamp.

8:12   If the water dries up, they are the first to wither, while still too small to be cut and used.

8:13   Godless people are like those reeds; their hope is gone, once God is forgotten.

8:14   They trust a thread---a spider's web.

8:15   If they lean on a web, will it hold them up? If they grab for a thread, will it help them stand?"

8:16   Evil people sprout like weeds in the sun, like weeds that spread all through the garden.

8:17   Their roots wrap around the stones and hold fast to every rock.

8:18   But then pull them up--- no one will ever know they were there.

8:19   Yes, that's all the joy evil people have; others now come and take their places.

8:20   But God will never abandon the faithful or ever give help to evil people.

8:21   He will let you laugh and shout again,

8:22   but he will bring disgrace on those who hate you, and the homes of the wicked will vanish.