Bildad Affirms God's Justice

81 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered , 2 "How long will you say these things , And the words of your mouth be a mighty wind ? 3 "Does God pervert justice ? Or does the Almighty pervert what is right ? 4 " If your sons sinned against Him, Then He delivered them into the power of their transgression . 5 "If you would seek God And implore the compassion of the Almighty , 6 If you are pure and upright , Surely now He would rouse Himself for you And restore your righteous estate . 7 "Though your beginning was insignificant , Yet your end will increase greatly .

8 "Please inquire of past generations , And consider the things searched out by their fathers . 9 "For we are only of yesterday and know nothing , Because our days on earth are as a shadow . 10 "Will they not teach you and tell you, And bring forth words from their minds ? 11 "Can the papyrus grow up without a marsh ? Can the rushes grow without water ? 12 "While it is still green and not cut down , Yet it withers before any other plant . 13 "So are the paths of all who forget God ; And the hope of the godless will perish , 14 Whose confidence is fragile , And whose trust a spider's web . 15 "He trusts in his house , but it does not stand ; He holds fast to it, but it does not endure . 16 "He thrives before the sun , And his shoots spread out over his garden . 17 "His roots wrap around a rock pile , He grasps a house of stones . 18 "If he is removed from his place , Then it will deny him, saying, ' I never saw you.' 19 "Behold , this is the joy of His way ; And out of the dust others will spring .

20 "Lo , God will not reject a man of integrity , Nor will He support e the evildoers . 21 "He will yet fill your mouth with laughter And your lips with shouting . 22 "Those who hate you will be clothed with shame , And the tent of the wicked will be no longer."