[1] Then Bildad the Shuhite answered: [2] "How long will you say these
things, and the words of your mouth be a great wind? [3] Does God pervert
justice? Or does the Almighty pervert the right? [4] If your children have
sinned against him, he has delivered them into the power of their
transgression. [5] If you will seek God and make supplication to the
Almighty, [6] if you are pure and upright, surely then he will rouse
himself for you and reward you with a rightful habitation. [7] And though
your beginning was small, your latter days will be very great. [8] "For
inquire, I pray you, of bygone ages, and consider what the fathers have
found; [9] for we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, for our days on
earth are a shadow. [10] Will they not teach you, and tell you, and utter
words out of their understanding? [11] "Can papyrus grow where there is no
marsh? Can reeds flourish where there is no water? [12] While yet in flower
and not cut down, they wither before any other plant. [13] Such are the
paths of all who forget God; the hope of the godless man shall perish. [14]
His confidence breaks in sunder, and his trust is a spider's web. [15] He
leans against his house, but it does not stand; he lays hold of it, but it
does not endure. [16] He thrives before the sun, and his shoots spread over
his garden. [17] His roots twine about the stoneheap; he lives among the
rocks. [18] If he is destroyed from his place, then it will deny him,
saying, `ng, "I have never seen you.' [19] Behold, this is the joy of his
way; and out of the earth others will spring. [20] "Behold, God will not
reject a blameless man, nor take the hand of 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."