[1] Bildad's First Speech Bildad from Shuah said: [2] How long will you talk and keep saying nothing? [3] Does God All-Powerful stand in the way of justice? [4] He made your children pay for their sins. [5] So why don't you turn to him [6] and start living right? Then he will decide to rescue and restore you to your place of honor. [7] Your future will be brighter by far than your past. [8] Our ancestors were wise, so learn from them. [9] Our own time has been short, like a fading shadow, and we know very little. [10] But they will instruct you with great understanding. [11] Papyrus reeds grow healthy only in a swamp, [12] and if the water dries up, they die sooner than grass. [13] Such is the hopeless future of all who turn from God [14] and trust in something as frail as a spider's web- [15] they take hold and fall because it's so flimsy. [16] Sinful people are like plants with spreading roots and plenty of sun and water. [17] They wrap their roots tightly around rocks. [18] But once they are pulled up, they have no more place; [19] their life slips away, and other plants grow there. [20] We know God doesn't reject an innocent person or help a sinner. [21] And so, he will make you happy and give you something to smile about. [22] But your evil enemies will be put to shame and disappear forever.
