| New International Version | New International Version |
| 1Then Bildad the Shuhite replied: | 1Then Bildad the Shuhite replied: |
| 2"How long will you say such things? Your words are a blustering wind. | 2"How long will you say such things? Your words are a blustering wind. |
| 3Does God pervert justice? Does the Almighty pervert what is right? | 3Does God pervert justice? Does the Almighty pervert what is right? |
| 4When your children sinned against him, he gave them over to the penalty of their sin. | 4When your children sinned against him, he gave them over to the penalty of their sin. |
| 5But if you will seek God earnestly and plead with the Almighty, | 5But if you will seek God earnestly and plead with the Almighty, |
| 6if you are pure and upright, even now he will rouse himself on your behalf and restore you to your prosperous state. | 6if you are pure and upright, even now he will rouse himself on your behalf and restore you to your prosperous state. |
| 7Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be. | 7Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be. |
| 8"Ask the former generation and find out what their ancestors learned, | 8"Ask the former generation and find out what their ancestors learned, |
| 9for we were born only yesterday and know nothing, and our days on earth are but a shadow. | 9for we were born only yesterday and know nothing, and our days on earth are but a shadow. |
| 10Will they not instruct you and tell you? Will they not bring forth words from their understanding? | 10Will they not instruct you and tell you? Will they not bring forth words from their understanding? |
| 11Can papyrus grow tall where there is no marsh? Can reeds thrive without water? | 11Can papyrus grow tall where there is no marsh? Can reeds thrive without water? |
| 12While still growing and uncut, they wither more quickly than grass. | 12While still growing and uncut, they wither more quickly than grass. |
| 13Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so perishes the hope of the godless. | 13Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so perishes the hope of the godless. |
| 14What they trust in is fragile; what they rely on is a spider's web. | 14What they trust in is fragile; what they rely on is a spider's web. |
| 15They lean on the web, but it gives way; they cling to it, but it does not hold. | 15They lean on the web, but it gives way; they cling to it, but it does not hold. |
| 16They are like a well-watered plant in the sunshine, spreading its shoots over the garden; | 16They are like a well-watered plant in the sunshine, spreading its shoots over the garden; |
| 17it entwines its roots around a pile of rocks and looks for a place among the stones. | 17it entwines its roots around a pile of rocks and looks for a place among the stones. |
| 18But when it is torn from its spot, that place disowns it and says, 'I never saw you.' | 18But when it is torn from its spot, that place disowns it and says, 'I never saw you.' |
| 19Surely its life withers away, and from the soil other plants grow. | 19Surely its life withers away, and from the soil other plants grow. |
| 20"Surely God does not reject one who is blameless or strengthen the hands of evildoers. | 20"Surely God does not reject one who is blameless or strengthen the hands of evildoers. |
| 21He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. | 21He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. |
| 22Your enemies will be clothed in shame, and the tents of the wicked will be no more." | 22Your enemies will be clothed in shame, and the tents of the wicked will be no more." |
| New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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