1 THEN ANSWERED Bildad the Shuhite,
2 How long will you say these things [Job]? And how long shall the words of your mouth be as 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 delivered them into the power of their transgression. 5 If you will seek God diligently and make your supplication to the Almighty, 6 Then, if you are pure and upright, surely He will bestir Himself for you and make your righteous dwelling prosperous again. 7 And though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would greatly increase.
8 For inquire, I pray you, 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 upon earth are a shadow. 10 Shall not [the forefathers] teach you and tell you and utter words out of their hearts (the deepest part of their nature)?
11 Can the rush or papyrus grow up without marsh? Can the flag or reed grass grow without water? 12 While it is yet green, in flower, and not cut down, it withers before any other herb [when without water]. 13 So are the ways of all who forget God; and the hope of the godless shall perish. 14 For his confidence breaks, and [the object of] his trust is a spider's web. 15 He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand; he shall hold fast to it, but it shall not last. 16 He is green before the sun, and his shoots go forth over his garden. 17 [Godless] his roots are wrapped about the [stone] heap, and see their way [promisingly] among the rocks. 18 But if [God] snatches him from his property, [then having passed into the hands of others] it [his property] will forget and deny him, [saying,] I have never seen you [before, as if ashamed of him--like his former friends]. 19 See, this is the joy of going the way [of the ungodly]! And from the dust others will spring up [to take his place].
20 Behold, as surely as God will never uphold wrongdoers, He will never cast away a blameless man. 21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughter [Job] and your lips with joyful shouting. 22 Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, and the tents of the wicked shall be no more.