1Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said:
2How long will you speak these things, while the words of your mouth are a mighty spirit (ruach)?
3Does God pervert judgment (mishpat)? Or does Shaddai pervert righteousness?
4If your sons sinned against him, then he sent them away by the hand of their transgression.
5If you would seek God earnestly, and make supplication to Shaddai;
6If you were pure and upright, surely now he would rouse himself for you, and restore the dwelling of your righteousness.
7And though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would greatly increase.
8For ask now of the former generation, and apply yourself to the search of their fathers;
9For we are of yesterday, and know nothing, for our days upon earth are a shadow.
10Shall they not teach you, and tell you, and bring forth words out of their heart?
11Can the papyrus grow up without a marsh? Can the reed-grass grow without water?
12While it is yet in its greenness, not plucked, it withers before any grass.
13So are the paths of all who forget God; and the hope of the godless shall perish;
14Whose confidence is cut off, and whose trust is a spider's house.
15He leans upon his house, but it does not stand; he holds it fast, but it does not endure.
16He is moist before the sun, and over his garden his shoot goes forth.
17His roots are entwined about a heap; he looks upon a house of stones.
18If one swallows him up from his place, then it denies him, "I have not seen you."
19Behold, this is the joy of his way, and out of the dust (aphar) others shall spring up.
20Behold, God will not reject the blameless, nor will he uphold the hand of evildoers;
21Until he fills your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting.
22Those who hate you shall be clothed with shame, and the tent of the wicked shall be no more.