[1] Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said: [2] "How long will you speak these things, And the words of your mouth be like a strong wind? [3] Does God subvert judgment? Or does the Almighty pervert justice? [4] If your sons have sinned against Him, He has cast them away for their transgression. [5] If you would earnestly seek God And make your supplication to the Almighty, [6] If you were pure and upright, Surely now He would awake for you, And prosper your rightful dwelling place. [7] Though your beginning was small, Yet your latter end would increase abundantly. [8] "For inquire, please, of the former age, And consider the things discovered by their fathers; [9] For we were born yesterday, and know nothing, Because our days on earth are a shadow. [10] Will they not teach you and tell you, And utter words from their heart? [11] "Can the papyrus grow up without a marsh? Can the reeds flourish 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 hope of the hypocrite shall perish, [14] Whose confidence shall be cut off, And whose trust is a spider's web. [15] He leans on his house, but it does not stand. He holds it fast, but it does not endure. [16] He grows green in the sun, And his branches spread out in his garden. [17] His roots wrap around the rock heap, And look for a place in the stones. [18] If he is destroyed from his place, Then it will deny him, saying, 'I have not seen you.' [19] "Behold, this is the joy of His way, And out of the earth others will grow. [20] Behold, God will not cast away the blameless, Nor will He uphold the evildoers. [21] He will yet fill 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."
