[1] Bildad from Shuah responded: [2] How long will you mouth such things such that your utterances become a strong wind? [3] Does God pervert justice, or does the Almighty distort what is right? [4] If your children sinned against him, then he delivered them into the power of their rebellion. [5] If you will search eagerly for God, plead with the Almighty. [6] If you are pure and do the right thing, then surely he will become active on your behalf and reward your innocent dwelling. [7] Although your former state was ordinary, your future will be extraordinary. [8] Ask a previous generation and verify the findings of your ancestors, [9] for we are only recently here and don’t know because our days on earth are a shadow. [10] Won’t they instruct you and tell you; will words not proceed from their hearts? [11] Does papyrus grow apart from a marsh? Does a reed flourish without water? [12] While still tender, uncut, it will wither before every other grass. [13] So are the paths of all who forget God. Hope perishes for the godless, [14] whose confidence is a fragile thing, their trust, a spider’s web. [15] He leans on its web, and it doesn’t stand; grasps it, and it can’t remain in place. [16] It’s like a well-watered plant in the sun; its runners spread over its gardens. [17] Its roots are entwined over a pile of rocks, for it sees a home among stones. [18] If it’s uprooted from its place, it lies, saying, “I can’t see you.” [19] Surely its way is a joy, for from the dust other plants sprout. [20] Surely God won’t reject integrity, won’t strengthen the hand of the wicked. [21] He will still fill your mouth with joy, your lips with a victorious shout. [22] Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, and the tent of the wicked will vanish.
