[1] Then Bildad the Shuhite answered: [2] "How long will you say such things? Your words are no more than a strong wind. [3] God does not twist fairness. God All-Powerful does not make wrong what is right. [4] Your children sinned against God. And he punished them for their sins. [5] But you should ask God for help. Pray to God All-Powerful for mercy. [6] You must be good and honest. Then he will start doing something for you. And he will bring you back where you belong. [7] The place you began will seem unimportant because your future will be so successful. [8] "Ask old people and find out what their ancestors learned. [9] We were only born yesterday and know nothing. Our days on earth are like only a shadow. [10] Those people will teach you and tell you. They will tell you what they know. [11] Papyrus plants cannot grow tall where there is no wet land. Reeds cannot grow tall without water. [12] While they are still growing and not yet cut, they will dry up more quickly than grass. [13] That is what will happen to everyone who forgets God. The hope of the person without God will be gone. [14] What he trusts in is easily broken. It is as easily broken as a spider's web. [15] He leans on the spider's web, but it breaks. He holds on to it, but it does not hold him up. [16] He is like a well-watered plant in the sunshine. The plant spreads its roots all through the garden. [17] It wraps its roots around a pile of rocks. And it looks for a place among the stones. [18] But the plant may be torn from its place. Then that place rejects it and says, 'I never saw you.' [19] Then its life dries up. And other plants grow up from the dirt in its place. [20] "Surely God does not reject innocent men. He does not give strength to those who do evil. [21] God will yet fill your mouth with laughter. And he will fill your lips with shouts of joy. [22] Your enemies will be covered in shame. And the tents of the wicked will be gone."
