1Then Bildad, the Shuhite, answered, 2“How long will you say these things? And how long shall the words of your mouth be like a strong wind? 3Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert righteousness? 4When your children sinned against Him, He has cast them away for their transgression; 5If you would seek unto God early, and make your supplication to the Almighty; 6If you were pure and upright; surely now He would awake for you, and make the habitation of your righteousness prosperous. 7Though your beginning was small, yet your latter end should greatly prosper.

8“For enquire, I pray you, of former ages, and apply yourself to the truths learned by our fathers 9(For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow). 10Shall they not teach you, and tell you, and utter words out of their heart? 11Can the rush grow up without mire? Can the flag grow without water? 12While it is yet in its greenness, and not cut down, it withers before any other herb (when deprived of water). 13So are the paths of all who forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish, 14Whose confidence shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be like a spider's web. 15He trusts in his house, but it shall not stand; he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure. 16He is green before the sun, and his branch shoots forth in his garden. 17His roots are wrapped about the heap, and looks for a place among the stones. 18If he is taken from his place, it shall deny him, saying, ‘I have never seen you’. 19Behold, this is the joy of his way, and out of the earth shall others grow.

20“Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, nor will He help the evil doers, 21He will yet fill your mouth with laughing, and your lips with rejoicing. 22They who hate you shall be clothed with shame; and the dwelling place of the wicked shall come to nothing.”