1. Now Bildad the Shuhite replied and said:
2. "How long will you speak such things, seeing that the words of your mouth are [like] a mighty wind?
3. Does God pervert judgment, or does the Almighty pervert justice?
4. If your children sinned against Him, He sent them away in the hands of their transgression.
5. If you seek God and supplicate the Almighty,
6. if you are pure and upright, He shall arouse [your merit] over you, and will complete your righteous home.
7. And your beginning shall be small, but your end shall increase exceedingly.
8. For inquire now about the past generation and apply yourself to what their fathers have searched out,
9. For we are of yesterday and know nothing, because our days on earth are like a shadow.
10. Will they not instruct you and tell you, and utter words out of their heart?
11. Can papyrus shoot up without a marsh? Can the reed-grass grow without water?
12. When it is still in its greenness, it will not be plucked, but before any other grass, it will dry up.
13. So are the ways of all those who forget God, and the hope of the flatterer shall be lost,
14. whose confidence shall be cut off, and whose trust is a spider's web.
15. He leans on his house but it does not stand; he grasps it but it does not endure.
16. It is fresh before the sun, and on its garden its tender branch emerges.
17. Beside the fountain, its roots are entwined; he sees a stone house.
18. If one destroys him from his place, then it shall deny him, [saying] 'I have not seen you.'
19. Behold this is the joy of his way, and from the earth, others will spring forth.
20. Behold God will not reject the innocent, nor will he uphold evildoers.
21. Until He fills your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouting.
22. Your enemies will be clothed with shame, and the tent of the wicked shall be no more."
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