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; {for...: Heb. in the hand of 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:) {nothing: Heb. not}
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. {web: Heb. house}
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: {help...: Heb. take the ungodly by the hand} {come: Heb. shall not be}
21Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing. {rejoicing: Heb. shouting for joy}
22They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame; and the dwelling place of the wicked shall come to nought. {shall come...: Heb. shall not be}