1 T hen Bildad the Shuhite answered and said:

2 “ How long will you speak these things, And the words of your mouth be like a strong wind?

3 D oes God subvert judgment? Or does the Almighty pervert justice?

4 I f your sons have sinned against Him, He has cast them away for their transgression.

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

6 I f you were pure and upright, Surely now He would awake for you, And prosper your rightful dwelling place.

7 T hough your beginning was small, Yet your latter end would increase abundantly.

8 “ For inquire, please, of the former age, And consider the things discovered by their fathers;

9 F or we were born yesterday, and know nothing, Because our days on earth are a shadow.

10 W ill they not teach you and tell you, And utter words from their heart?

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

12 W hile it is yet green and not cut down, It withers before any other plant.

13 S o are the paths of all who forget God; And the hope of the hypocrite shall perish,

14 W hose confidence shall be cut off, And whose trust is a spider’s web.

15 H e leans on his house, but it does not stand. He holds it fast, but it does not endure.

16 H e grows green in the sun, And his branches spread out in his garden.

17 H is roots wrap around the rock heap, And look for a place in the stones.

18 I f he is destroyed from his place, Then it will deny him, saying, ‘I have not seen you.’

19 “ Behold, this is the joy of His way, And out of the earth others will grow.

20 B ehold, God will not cast away the blameless, Nor will He uphold the evildoers.

21 H e will yet fill your mouth with laughing, And your lips with rejoicing.

22 T hose who hate you will be clothed with shame, And the dwelling place of the wicked will come to nothing.”