[1] Then Bildad the Shuhite made answer and said, [2] How long will you say
these things, and how long will the words of your mouth be like a strong
wind? [3] Does God give wrong decisions? or is the Ruler of all not upright
in his judging? [4] If your children have done evil against him, then their
punishment is from his hand. [5] If you will make search for God with care,
and put your request before the Ruler of all; [6] If you are clean and
upright; then he will certainly be moved to take up your cause, and will
make clear your righteousness by building up your house again. [7] And
though your start was small, your end will be very great. [8] Put the
question now to the past generations, and give attention to what has been
searched out by their fathers: [9] (For we are but of yesterday, and have
no knowledge, because our days on earth are gone like a shade:) [10] Will
they not give you teaching, and say words of wisdom to you? [11] Will the
river-plant come up in its pride without wet earth? will the grass get tall
without water? [12] When it is still green, without being cut down, it
becomes dry and dead before any other plant. [13] So is the end of all who
do not keep God in mind; and the hope of the evil-doer comes to nothing:
[14] Whose support is cut off, and whose hope is no stronger than a
spider's thread. [15] He is looking to his family for support, but it is
not there; he puts his hope in it, but it comes to nothing. [16] He is full
of strength before the sun, and his branches go out over his garden. [17]
His roots are twisted round the stones, forcing their way in between them.
[18] If he is taken away from his place, then it will say, I have not seen
you. [19] Such is the joy of his way, and out of the dust another comes up
to take his place. [20] Truly, God will not give up him who is without sin,
and will not take evil-doers by the hand. [21] The time will come when your
mouth will be full of laughing, and cries of joy will come from your lips.
[22] Your haters will be clothed with shame, and the tent of the sinner
will not be seen again.