¹ Then Bildad the Shuhite replied:

² “How long will you go on saying such things? The words of your mouth are a blustering wind.

³ Does God pervert justice? Does the Almighty pervert what is right?

⁴ When your children sinned against Him, He gave them over to their rebellion.

⁵ But if you would earnestly seek God and ask the Almighty for mercy,

⁶ if you are pure and upright, even now He will rouse Himself on your behalf and restore your righteous estate.

⁷ Though your beginnings were modest, your latter days will flourish.

⁸ Please inquire of past generations and consider the discoveries of their fathers.

⁹ For we were born yesterday and know nothing; our days on earth are but a shadow.

¹⁰ Will they not teach you and tell you, and speak from their understanding?

¹¹ Does papyrus grow where there is no marsh? Do reeds flourish without water?

¹² While the shoots are still uncut, they dry up more quickly than grass.

¹³ Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so the hope of the godless will perish.

¹⁴ His confidence is fragile; his security is in a spider’s web.

¹⁵ He leans on his web, but it gives way; he holds fast, but it does not endure.

¹⁶ He is a well-watered plant in the sunshine, spreading its shoots over the garden.

¹⁷ His roots wrap around the rock heap; he looks for a home among the stones.

¹⁸ If he is uprooted from his place, it will disown him, saying, ‘I never saw you.’

¹⁹ Surely this is the joy of his way; yet others will spring from the dust.

²⁰ Behold, God does not reject the blameless, nor will He strengthen the hand of evildoers.

²¹ He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with a shout of joy.

²² Your enemies will be clothed in shame, and the tent of the wicked will be no more.”