1Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,2How long wilt thou speak these [things]? and [how long shall] the words of thy mouth [be like] a strong wind?3Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?4If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their transgression;5If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty;

6If thou [wert] pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.7Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.8For enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers:9(For we [are but of] yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth [are] a shadow:)10Shall not they teach thee, [and] tell thee, and utter words out of their heart?

11Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water?12Whilst it [is] yet in his greenness, [and] not cut down, it withereth before any [other] herb.13So [are] the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish:14Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust [shall be] a spider's web.15He shall lean upon 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 shooteth forth in his garden.17His roots are wrapped about the heap, [and] seeth the place of stones.18If he destroy him from his place, then [it] shall deny him, [saying], I have not seen thee.19Behold, this [is] the joy of his way, and out of the earth shall others grow.20Behold, God will not cast away a perfect [man], neither will he help the evil doers:

21Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing.22They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame; and the dwelling place of the wicked shall come to nought.