¹Then Bildad the Shuhite replied: ²“How long will you go on saying such things? ³Does God pervert justice? ⁴When your children sinned against Him, ⁵But if you would earnestly seek God ⁶if you are pure and upright, ⁷Though your beginnings were modest, ⁸Please inquire of past generations ⁹For we were born yesterday and know nothing; ¹⁰Will they not teach you and tell you, ¹¹Does papyrus grow where there is no marsh? ¹²While the shoots are still uncut, ¹³Such is the destiny of all who forget God; ¹⁴His confidence is fragile; ¹⁵He leans on his web, but it gives way; ¹⁶He is a well-watered plant in the sunshine, ¹⁷His roots wrap around the rock heap; ¹⁸If he is uprooted from his place, ¹⁹Surely this is the joy of his way; ²⁰Behold, God does not reject the blameless, ²¹He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, ²²Your enemies will be clothed in shame,