1   Then Bildad the Shuhite began:

2   How long will you say such things,
the long-winded ramblings of an old man?
3   Does God pervert judgement?
Does the Almighty pervert justice?
4   Your sons sinned against him,
so he left them to be victims of their own iniquity.

First cycle of speeches
5   If only you will seek God betimes
and plead for the favour of the Almighty,
6   if you are innocent and upright,
then indeed will he watch over you
and see your just intent fulfilled.
7   Then, though your beginnings were humble,
your end will be great.


8   Inquire now of older generations
and consider the experience of their fathers;
9   for we ourselves are of yesterday and are transient;
our days on earth are a shadow.
10   Will not they speak to you and teach you
and pour out the wisdom of their hearts?
11   Can rushes grow where there is no marsh?
Can reeds flourish without water?
12   While they are still in flower and not ready to cut, ^note
they wither earlier than ^note any green plant.
13   Such is the fate of all who forget God;
the godless man's life-thread breaks off;
14   his confidence is gossamer,
and the ground of his trust a spider's web.
15   He leans against his house but it does not stand;
he clutches at it but it does not hold firm.
16   His is the lush growth of a plant in the sun,
pushing out shoots over the garden;
17   but its roots become entangled in a stony patch
and run against a bed of rock.
18   Then someone uproots it from its place,
which ^note disowns it and says, ‘I have never known you.’
19   That is how its life withers away,
and other plants spring up from the earth.


20   Be sure, God will not spurn the blameless man,
nor will he grasp the hand of the wrongdoer.
21   He will yet fill your mouth with laughter,
and shouts of joy will be on your lips;
22   your enemies shall be wrapped in confusion,
and the tents of the wicked shall vanish away.

Previous section

Next section