The writer continues to use parallelism in each of these verses, conveying a single idea using two different statements to emphasize the people's capacity to learn from their ancestors, given the brevity of life and the ancestors' willingness to impart teachings. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])

## about the ages past ##

"about earlier generations"

## apply yourself to learn what our ancestors discovered ##

"study carefully what our ancestors discovered" or "consider what our forefathers discovered"

## our days on earth are a shadow ##

In this simile, life is compared to a shadow; both pass by quickly. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

## Will they not teach you and tell you, Will they not speak words from their hearts? ##

Bildad poses this question to rebuke Job. AT: "They will teach you and tell you, and from their understanding bring forth words" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])