Bildad Says God Rewards the Good
1 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said,
2 “How long will you say these things?
And will the words of your mouth be a mighty wind?
3 Does God pervert justice?
Or doesthe Almighty pervert righteousness?
4 If your children have sinned against Him,
Then He has handed them over to the power of their transgressionandpunished them.
5 If you would [diligently] seek God
And implore the compassionandfavor of the Almighty,
6 Then, if you are pure and upright,
Surely now He will awaken for you
And restore your righteous place.
7 Though your beginning was insignificant,
Yet your end will greatly increase.
8 “Inquire, please, of past generations,
And considerandapply yourself to the things searched out by their fathers.
9 For we areonlyof yesterday and know nothing,
Because our days on earth are [like] a shadow [just a breath or a vapor].
10 Will they (the fathers) not teach youandtell you,
And utter words from their hearts [the deepest part of their nature]?
11 “Can the papyrus grow up without a marsh?
Can the rushesorreed grass grow without water?
12 While it is still green (in flower) and not cut down,
Yet it withers before anyotherplant [when without water].
13 So are the paths of all who forget God;
And the hope of the godless will perish,
14 For his confidence is fragileandbreaks,
And his trust is [like] a spider’s web.
15 He trusts in his house, but it does not stand;
He holds tightly to it, but it does not endure.
16 He thrivesandprospers [like a green plant] before the sun,
And his branches spread out over his garden.
17 His [godless] roots are wrapped around a pile of rocks,
And he gazes at a house of stones.
18 If he is snatched from his place [in the garden],
Then his place will forget him,saying,‘I have never seen you.’
19 Behold, this is the joy of His way;
And from out of the dust others will spring upandgrow [to take his place].
20 Behold, God will not reject aman ofintegrity,
Nor will He strengthenorsupport evildoers.
21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughter
And your lips with joyful shouting [if you are found blameless].
22 Those who hate you will be clothed with shame,
And the tents of the wicked will be no longer.”