5 But if you will seek God earnestly and plead with the Almighty,

Other Translations of Job 8:5

King James Version

5 If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty;

English Standard Version

5 If you will seek God and plead with the Almighty for mercy,

The Message

5 Here's what you must do - and don't put it off any longer: Get down on your knees before God Almighty.

New King James Version

5 If you would earnestly seek God And make your supplication to the Almighty,

New Living Translation

5 But if you pray to God and seek the favor of the Almighty,

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 8:5

Commentary on Job 8:1-7

(Read Job 8:1-7)

Job spake much to the purpose; but Bildad, like an eager, angry disputant, turns it all off with this, How long wilt thou speak these things? Men's meaning is not taken aright, and then they are rebuked, as if they were evil-doers. Even in disputes on religion, it is too common to treat others with sharpness, and their arguments with contempt. Bildad's discourse shows that he had not a favourable opinion of Job's character. Job owned that God did not pervert judgment; yet it did not therefore follow that his children were cast-aways, or that they did for some great transgression. Extraordinary afflictions are not always the punishment of extraordinary sins, sometimes they are the trials of extraordinary graces: in judging of another's case, we ought to take the favorable side. Bildad puts Job in hope, that if he were indeed upright, he should yet see a good end of his present troubles. This is God's way of enriching the souls of his people with graces and comforts. The beginning is small, but the progress is to perfection. Dawning light grows to noon-day.