1 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said,

2 "How long will you say these things?

And will the words of your mouth be a mighty wind?

3 "Does God pervert justice?

Or does *the Almighty pervert righteousness?

4 "If your children have sinned against Him,

Then He has handed them over to the power of their transgression and punished them.

5 "If you would [diligently] seek God

And implore the compassion and favor of the Almighty,

6 Then, if you are pure and upright,

Surely now He will awaken for you

And restore your righteous place.

7 "Though your beginning was insignificant,

Yet your end will greatly increase.

8 "Inquire, please, of past generations,

And consider and apply yourself to the things searched out by their fathers.

9 "For we are only of yesterday and know nothing,

Because our days on earth are [like] a shadow [just a breath or a vapor].

10 "Will they (the fathers) not teach you and tell you,

And utter words from their hearts [the deepest part of their nature]?

11 "Can the papyrus grow up without a marsh?

Can the rushes or reed grass grow without water?

12 "While it is still green (in flower) and not cut down,

Yet it withers before any other plant [when without water].

13 "So are the paths of all who forget God;

And the hope of the godless will perish,

14 For his confidence is fragile and breaks,

And his trust is [like] a spider’s web.

15 "He trusts in his house, but it does not stand;

He holds tightly to it, but it does not endure.

16 "He thrives and prospers [like a green plant] before the sun,

And his branches spread out over his garden.

17 "His [godless] roots are wrapped around a pile of rocks,

And he gazes at a house of stones.

18 "If he is snatched from his place [in the garden],

Then his place will forget him, saying, ‘I have never seen you.’

19 "Behold, this is the joy of His way;

And from out of the dust others will spring up and grow [to take his place].

20 "Behold, God will not reject a man of integrity,

Nor will He strengthen or support evildoers.

21 "He will yet fill your mouth with laughter

And your lips with joyful shouting [if you are found blameless].

22 "Those who hate you will be clothed with shame,

And the tents of the wicked will be no longer."