1 T hen answered Bildad the Shuhite,

2 H ow long will you say these things ? And how long shall the words of your mouth be as a mighty wind?

3 D oes God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert righteousness?

4 I f your children have sinned against Him, then He has delivered them into the power of their transgression.

5 I f you will seek God diligently and make your supplication to the Almighty,

6 T hen, if you are pure and upright, surely He will bestir Himself for you and make your righteous dwelling prosperous again.

7 A nd though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would greatly increase.

8 F or inquire, I pray you, of the former age and apply yourself to that which their fathers have searched out,

9 F or we are but of yesterday and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow.

10 S hall not teach you and tell you and utter words out of their hearts (the deepest part of their nature)?

11 C an the rush or papyrus grow up without marsh? Can the flag or reed grass grow without water?

12 W hile it is yet green, in flower, and not cut down, it withers before any other herb.

13 S o are the ways of all who forget God; and the hope of the godless shall perish.

14 F or his confidence breaks, and his trust is a spider’s web.

15 H e shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand; he shall hold fast to it, but it shall not last.

16 H e is green before the sun, and his shoots go forth over his garden.

17 h is roots are wrapped about the heap, and see their way among the rocks.

18 B ut if snatches him from his property, it will forget and deny him, I have never seen you.

19 S ee, this is the joy of going the way! And from the dust others will spring up.

20 B ehold, as surely as God will never uphold wrongdoers, He will never cast away a blameless man.

21 H e will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with joyful shouting.

22 T hose who hate you will be clothed with shame, and the tents of the wicked shall be no more.