^{1 Ref} Then Bildad the Shuhite answered,

^{2 Ref} "How long will you speak these things? Shall the words of your mouth be a mighty wind?

^{3 Ref} Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert righteousness?

^{4 Ref} If your children have sinned against him, He has delivered them into the hand of their disobedience;

^{5 Ref} If you want to seek God diligently, Make your supplication to the Almighty.

^{6 Ref} If you were pure and upright, Surely now he would awaken for you, And make the habitation of your righteousness prosperous.

^{7 Ref} Though your beginning was small, Yet your latter end would greatly increase.

^{8 Ref} "Please inquire of past generations, Find out about the learning of their fathers.

^{9 Ref} (For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, Because our days on earth are a shadow.)

^{10 Ref} Shall they not teach you, tell you, And utter words out of their heart?

^{11 Ref} "Can the papyrus grow up without mire? Can the rushes grow without water?

^{12 Ref} While it is yet in its greenness, not cut down, It withers before any other reed.

^{13 Ref} So are the paths of all who forget God. The hope of the godless man shall perish,

^{14 Ref} Whose confidence shall break apart, Whose trust is a spider's web.

^{15 Ref} He shall lean on his house, but it shall not stand. He shall cling to it, but it shall not endure.

^{16 Ref} He is green before the sun, His shoots go forth over his garden.

^{17 Ref} His roots are wrapped around the rock pile, He sees the place of stones.

^{18 Ref} If he is destroyed from his place, Then it shall deny him, saying, 'I have not seen you.'

^{19 Ref} Behold, this is the joy of his way: Out of the earth shall others spring.

^{20 Ref} "Behold, God will not cast away a blameless man, Neither will he uphold the evil-doers.

^{21 Ref} He will still fill your mouth with laughter, Your lips with shouting.

^{22 Ref} Those who hate you shall be clothed with shame. The tent of the wicked shall be no more."