1 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered,

2 "How long will you say these [things,] And the words of your mouth be a mighty wind?

3 "Does God pervert justice Or does the Almighty pervert what is right?

4 "If your sons sinned against Him, Then He delivered them into the power of their transgression.

5 "If you would seek God And implore the compassion of the Almighty,

6 If you are pure and upright, Surely now He would rouse Himself for you And restore your righteous estate.

7 "Though your beginning was insignificant, Yet your end will increase greatly.

8 "Please inquire of past generations, And consider the things searched out by their fathers.

9 "For we are [only] of yesterday and know nothing, Because our days on earth are as a shadow.

10 "Will they not teach you [and] tell you, And bring forth words from their minds?

11 "Can the papyrus grow up without marsh? Can the rushes grow without water?

12 "While it is still green [and] not cut down, Yet it withers before any [other] plant.

13 "So are the paths of all who forget God, And the hope of the godless will perish,

14 Whose confidence is fragile, And whose trust a spider's web.

15 "He trusts in his house, but it does not stand; He holds fast to it, but it does not endure.

16 "He thrives before the sun, And his shoots spread out over his garden.

17 "His roots wrap around a rock pile, He grasps a house of stones.

18 "If he is removed from his place, Then it will deny him, [saying,] 'I never saw you.'

19 "Behold, this is the joy of His way; And out of the dust others will spring.

20 "Lo, God will not reject [a man of] integrity, Nor will He support the evildoers.

21 "He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, And your lips with shouting.

22 "Those who hate you will be clothed with shame; And the tent of the wicked will be no more."