1 T hen Bildad the Shuhite answered,

2 “ How long will you say these things, and the words of your mouth be a strong wind?

3 D oes God make wrong what is fair? Does the All-powerful make wrong what is right?

4 I f your children have sinned against Him, He has given them over to the power of their sin.

5 I f you will look for God and pray to the All-powerful,

6 i f you are pure and right and good, for sure He will help you. Because you are right and good He will put you back where you should be.

7 A nd even if your beginning was small, your end will be very great.

8 “ Ask about those who have lived before. Think about what their fathers learned.

9 F or we are only of yesterday and know nothing. Our days on earth are as a shadow.

10 W ill they not teach you and tell you, and speak words of wisdom?

11 “ Can the tall river grass grow up from dry ground? Can the grass that grows in wet places grow without water?

12 W hile it is still green and not cut, it becomes dry and dead before any other plant.

13 S o are the ways of all who forget God. The hope of the man without God is destroyed.

14 W hat he trusts in is easy to break, like the home of a spider.

15 T he spider trusts in his house, but it falls apart. He holds on to it, but it does not hold.

16 H e is full of strength in the sunshine, and his branches spread out over his garden.

17 H is roots grow around rocks and they work their way among the stones.

18 I f he is taken from his place, then it will turn away from him, saying, ‘I have never seen you.’

19 S ee, this is the joy of His way. And out of the dust others will come.

20 S ee, God will not turn away from a man who is honest and faithful. And He will not help those who do wrong.

21 H e will yet make you laugh and call out with joy.

22 T hose who hate you will be dressed with shame. And the tent of the sinful will be no more.”