1 T hen Bildad the Shuhite answered,

2 “ How long will you speak these things? Shall the words of your mouth be a mighty wind?

3 D oes God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert righteousness?

4 I f your children have sinned against him, He has delivered them into the hand of their disobedience.

5 I f you want to seek God diligently, make your supplication to the Almighty.

6 I f you were pure and upright, surely now he would awaken for you, and make the habitation of your righteousness prosperous.

7 T hough your beginning was small, yet your latter end would greatly increase.

8 “ Please inquire of past generations. Find out about the learning of their fathers.

9 ( For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days on earth are a shadow.)

10 S hall they not teach you, tell you, and utter words out of their heart?

11 “ Can the papyrus grow up without mire? Can the rushes grow without water?

12 W hile it is yet in its greenness, not cut down, it withers before any other reed.

13 S o are the paths of all who forget God. The hope of the godless man shall perish,

14 W hose confidence shall break apart, Whose trust is a spider’s web.

15 H e shall lean on his house, but it shall not stand. He shall cling to it, but it shall not endure.

16 H e is green before the sun. His shoots go out along his garden.

17 H is roots are wrapped around the rock pile. He sees the place of stones.

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

19 B ehold, this is the joy of his way: out of the earth, others shall spring.

20 “ Behold, God will not cast away a blameless man, neither will he uphold the evildoers.

21 H e will still fill your mouth with laughter, your lips with shouting.

22 T hose who hate you shall be clothed with shame. The tent of the wicked shall be no more.”