Dual Panel1THEN ANSWERED Bildad the Shuhite,
2How long will you say these things [Job]? And how long shall the words of your mouth be as a mighty wind?
3Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert righteousness?
4If your children have sinned against Him, then He has delivered them into the power of their transgression.
5If you will seek God diligently and make your supplication to the Almighty,
6Then, if you are pure and upright, surely He will bestir Himself for you and make your righteous dwelling prosperous again.
7And though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would greatly increase.
8For inquire, I pray you, of the former age and apply yourself to that which their fathers have searched out,
9For we are but of yesterday and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow.
10Shall not [the forefathers] teach you and tell you and utter words out of their hearts (the deepest part of their nature)?
11Can the rush {or} papyrus grow up without marsh? Can the flag {or} reed grass grow without water?
12While it is yet green, in flower, and not cut down, it withers before any other herb [when without water].
13So are the ways of all who forget God; and the hope of the godless shall perish.
14For his confidence breaks, and [the object of] his trust is a spider's web.
15He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand; he shall hold fast to it, but it shall not last.
16He is green before the sun, and his shoots go forth over his garden.
17[Godless] his roots are wrapped about the [stone] heap, and see their way [promisingly] among the rocks.
18But if [God] snatches him from his property, [then having passed into the hands of others] it [his property] will forget {and} deny him, [saying,] I have never seen you [before, as if ashamed of him--like his former friends].
19See, this is the joy of going the way [of the ungodly]! And from the dust others will spring up [to take his place].
20Behold, as surely as God will never uphold wrongdoers, He will never cast away a blameless man.
21He will yet fill your mouth with laughter [Job] and your lips with joyful shouting.
22Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, and the tents of the wicked shall be no more.