✧1Then Bildad the Shuhite replied: ✧2“How long will you go on saying such things? The words of your mouth are a blustering wind. ✧3Does God pervert justice? Does the Almighty pervert what is right? ✧4When your children sinned against Him, He gave them over to their rebellion. ✧5But if you would earnestly seek God and ask the Almighty for mercy, ✧6if you are pure and upright, even now He will rouse Himself on your behalf and restore your righteous estate. ✧7Though your beginnings were modest, your latter days will flourish. ✧8Please inquire of past generations and consider the discoveries of their fathers. ✧9For we were born yesterday and know nothing; our days on earth are but a shadow.
Berean Standard Bible (BSB). Berean Standard Bible (BSB). Dedicated to the public domain by the rights holder.
✧10Will they not teach you and tell you, and speak from their understanding?
✧11Does papyrus grow where there is no marsh? Do reeds flourish without water?
✧12While the shoots are still uncut, they dry up quicker than grass.
✧13Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so the hope of the godless will perish.
✧14His confidence is fragile; his security is in a spider’s web.
✧15He leans on his web, but it gives way; he holds fast, but it does not endure.
✧16He is a well-watered plant in the sunshine, spreading its shoots over the garden.
✧17His roots wrap around the rock heap; he looks for a home among the stones.
✧18If he is uprooted from his place, it will disown him, saying, ‘I never saw you.’
✧19Surely this is the joy of his way; yet others will spring from the dust.
✧20Behold, God does not reject the blameless, nor will He strengthen the hand of evildoers.
✧21He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with a shout of joy.
✧22Your enemies will be clothed in shame, and the tent of the wicked will be no more.”