1Then Bildad the Shuhite answered, and said,
2How long will you speak these things? And how long shall the words of your mouth be like a mighty wind?
3Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert righteousness?
4If your children have sinned against him, And he has delivered them into the hand of their transgression;
5If you would seek diligently to God, And make your supplication to the Almighty;
6If you were pure and upright: Surely now he would awake for you, And make the habitation of your righteousness prosperous.
7And though your beginning was small, Yet your latter end would greatly increase.
8For inquire, please, of the former age, And apply yourself to that which their fathers have searched out
9(For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, Because our days on earth are a shadow);
10Shall they not teach you, and tell you, And utter words out of their heart?
11Can the rush grow up without mire? Can the flag grow without water?
12While it is still in its greenness, and not cut down, It withers before any other herb.
13So are the paths of all who forget God; And the hope of the godless man shall perish:
14Whose confidence shall break apart, And whose trust is a spider’s web.
15He shall lean on his house, but it shall not stand: He shall hold fast to it, but it shall not endure.
16He is green before the sun, And his shoots go forth over his garden.
17His roots are wrapped about the stone-heap, He beholds the place of stones.
18If he is destroyed from his place, Then it shall deny him, saying, I have not seen you.
19Behold, this is the joy of his way; And out of the earth shall others spring.
20Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, Neither will he uphold the evil-doers.
21He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, And your lips with shouting.
22Those who hate you shall be clothed with shame; And the tent of the wicked shall be no more.