[1] Then Bildad the Shuhite answered: [2] "How long will you speak these things, and the words of your mouth be like a strong wind? [3] Does God pervert judgment? Or does the Almighty pervert justice? [4] If your children sinned against Him, He cast them away for their transgression. [5] If you yourself would seek God earnestly, and seek favor from the Almighty, [6] if you were pure and upright, surely now He would rouse Himself on your behalf, and He would prosper your righteous dwelling. [7] Though your beginning was small, your end will increase greatly. [8] "Please, ask the former generation, and prepare yourself for what their fathers searched out; [9] for we were born but yesterday and know nothing, because our days on earth are a shadow. [10] Will they not teach you, and tell you, and bring forth words out of their heart? [11] Can the papyrus grow up without a marsh? Can the reed grow without water? [12] While it is yet green and not cut down, it withers before any other plant. [13] So are the paths of all who forget God; and the hypocrite's hope will perish, [14] whose confidence will be cut off, and whose trust will be a spider's web. [15] He will lean upon his house, but it will not stand; he will hold it fast, but it will not endure. [16] He is green before the sun, and his branch shoots forth in his garden. [17] His roots are wrapped around the rock heap, and he sees the place of stones. [18] If he is uprooted from his place, then it will deny him, saying, 'I have not seen you.' [19] See, this is the joy of his way, and out of the ground others will grow. [20] "Surely, God will not cast away a perfect man, nor will He strengthen the evildoers, [21] until He fills your mouth with laughing, and your lips with rejoicing. [22] Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, and the dwelling place of the wicked will come to nothing."
