[1] Then Bildad the Shuhite replied, [2] “Job, how long will you talk like that? Your words don’t have any meaning. [3] Does God ever treat people unfairly? Does the Mighty One make what is wrong appear to be right? [4] Your children sinned against him. So he punished them for their sin. [5] But seek God with all your heart. Make your appeal to the Mighty One. [6] Be pure and honest. And he will rise up and help you now. He’ll give you everything you had before. [7] In the past, things went well with you. But in days to come, things will get even better. [8] “Find out what our parents taught. Discover what those who lived before them learned. [9] After all, we were born only yesterday. So we don’t know anything. Our days on this earth are like a shadow that disappears. [10] Won’t your people of long ago teach you and tell you? Won’t the things they said help you understand? [11] Can grass grow tall where there isn’t any swamp? Can plants grow well where there isn’t any water? [12] While they are still growing and haven’t been cut, they dry up faster than grass does. [13] The same thing happens to everyone who forgets God. The hope of ungodly people dies out. [14] What they trust in is very weak. What they depend on is like a spider’s web. [15] They lean on it, but it falls apart. They hold on to it, but it gives way. [16] They are like a plant in the sunshine that receives plenty of water. It spreads its new growth all over the garden. [17] It wraps its roots around a pile of rocks. It tries to find places to grow among the stones. [18] But when the plant is pulled up from its spot, that place says, ‘I never saw you.’ [19] The life of that plant is sure to dry up. But from the same soil other plants will grow. [20] “I’m sure God doesn’t turn his back on anyone who is honest. And he doesn’t help those who do what is evil. [21] He will fill your mouth with laughter. Shouts of joy will come from your lips. [22] Your enemies will put on shame as if it were clothes. The tents of sinful people will be gone.”
