1 T hen Bildad the Shuhite answered,

2 “ How long will you say these things, And the words of your mouth be a mighty wind?

3 “ Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert what is right?

4 “ If your sons sinned against Him, Then He delivered them into the power of their transgression.

5 “ If you would seek God And implore the compassion of the Almighty,

6 I f you are pure and upright, Surely now He would rouse Himself for you And restore your righteous estate.

7 “ Though 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.

9 “ For we are only of yesterday and know nothing, Because our days on earth are as a shadow.

10 “ Will they not teach you and tell you, And bring forth words from their minds?

11 “ Can the papyrus grow up without a marsh? Can the rushes grow without water?

12 “ While it is still green and not cut down, Yet it withers before any other plant.

13 “ So are the paths of all who forget God; And the hope of the godless will perish,

14 W hose confidence is fragile, And whose trust a spider’s web.

15 “ He trusts in his house, but it does not stand; He holds fast to it, but it does not endure.

16 “ He thrives before the sun, And his shoots spread out over his garden.

17 “ His roots wrap around a rock pile, He grasps a house of stones.

18 “ If he is removed from his place, Then it will deny him, saying, ‘ I never saw you.’

19 “ Behold, this is the joy of His way; And out of the dust others will spring.

20 “ Lo, God will not reject a man of integrity, Nor will He support the evildoers.

21 “ He will yet fill your mouth with laughter And your lips with shouting.

22 “ Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, And the tent of the wicked will be no longer.”