^8:1 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said,^8:2 How long will you speak these things? And how long will the words of your mouth be like a mighty wind? ^8:3 Does God pervert justice? Or does the Almighty pervert righteousness? ^8:4 If your sons have sinned against him and he has delivered them into the hand of their transgression, ^8:5 if you would seek diligently to God and make your supplication to the Almighty, ^8:6 if you were pure and upright, surely now he would awake for you and make the dwelling of your righteousness prosperous. ^8:7 And though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would greatly increase. ^8:8 Because I beseech you, inquire of the former age and apply yourself to what their fathers have searched out ^8:9 (for we are but of yesterday and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow). ^8:10 Shall they not teach you and tell you and utter words out of their heart?

    ^8:11 Can the rush grow up without mud? Can a reed grow without water? ^8:12 While it is yet in its greenness, and not cut down, it withers before any other herb. ^8:13 So are the paths of all who forget God. And the hope of the profane man will perish,^8:14 whose confidence will break apart and whose trust is a spider's web.

    ^8:15 He will lean upon his house, but it will not stand. He will hold fast to it, but it will not endure. ^8:16 He is green before the sun and his offshoots go forth over his garden. ^8:17 His roots are wrapped around the stone heap. He beholds the place of stones. ^8:18 If he is destroyed from his place, then it will deny him, saying, I have not seen you. ^8:19Behold, this is the joy of his way and out of the earth others will spring.

    ^8:20 Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, nor will he uphold the evildoers. ^8:21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouting. ^8:22 Those who hate you will be clothed with shame and the tent of the wicked will be no more.