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Bildad Answers Job

18 Then Bildad from Shuah answered:

“When will you stop talking?
    Be sensible; let us say something.
Why do you think we are stupid,
    like dumb cows?
Your anger is hurting no one but you.
    Do you think this world was made for you alone?
    Do you think God should move mountains just to satisfy you?

“Yes, the light of those who are evil will go out.
    Their fire will stop burning.
The light in their houses will become dark.
    The lamps next to them will go out.
Their steps, once strong and fast, become weak.
    Their own evil plans make them fall.
Their own feet lead them into a net.
    They fall into its hidden pit and are caught.
A trap catches them by the heel,
    and it holds them tight.
10 A rope is hidden on the ground to trip them.
    A trap is waiting in their path.
11 On every side terrors frighten them.
    Fears follow every step they take.
12 Disaster is hungry for them.
    Ruin stands close by, waiting for them to fall.
13 Diseases will eat away their skin.
    Death itself[a] will eat their arms and legs.
14 They will be taken away from the safety of their tents
    and be led away to meet death, the king of terrors.
15 Nothing will be left in their tents,
    which will be sprinkled with burning sulfur.
16 Their roots below will dry up,
    and their branches above will die.
17 People on earth will not remember them.
    Their names will be forgotten.
18 They will be forced from light into darkness.
    They will be chased out of this world.
19 They will leave behind no children, no descendants.
    None of their people will be left alive.
20 People in the west will be shocked at what happened to them.
    People in the east will be numb with fear.
21 This is what will happen to the homes of those who are evil.
    This is the place of those who don’t know God!”

Footnotes

  1. Job 18:13 Death itself Literally, “Death’s firstborn,” a name for a deadly disease, or the worms that eat a dead body.

Bildad

18 Then Bildad the Shuhite(A) replied:

“When will you end these speeches?(B)
    Be sensible, and then we can talk.
Why are we regarded as cattle(C)
    and considered stupid in your sight?(D)
You who tear yourself(E) to pieces in your anger,(F)
    is the earth to be abandoned for your sake?
    Or must the rocks be moved from their place?(G)

“The lamp of a wicked man is snuffed out;(H)
    the flame of his fire stops burning.(I)
The light in his tent(J) becomes dark;(K)
    the lamp beside him goes out.(L)
The vigor(M) of his step is weakened;(N)
    his own schemes(O) throw him down.(P)
His feet thrust him into a net;(Q)
    he wanders into its mesh.
A trap seizes him by the heel;
    a snare(R) holds him fast.(S)
10 A noose(T) is hidden for him on the ground;
    a trap(U) lies in his path.(V)
11 Terrors(W) startle him on every side(X)
    and dog(Y) his every step.
12 Calamity(Z) is hungry(AA) for him;
    disaster(AB) is ready for him when he falls.(AC)
13 It eats away parts of his skin;(AD)
    death’s firstborn devours his limbs.(AE)
14 He is torn from the security of his tent(AF)
    and marched off to the king(AG) of terrors.(AH)
15 Fire resides[a] in his tent;(AI)
    burning sulfur(AJ) is scattered over his dwelling.
16 His roots dry up below(AK)
    and his branches wither above.(AL)
17 The memory of him perishes from the earth;(AM)
    he has no name(AN) in the land.(AO)
18 He is driven from light into the realm of darkness(AP)
    and is banished(AQ) from the world.(AR)
19 He has no offspring(AS) or descendants(AT) among his people,
    no survivor(AU) where once he lived.(AV)
20 People of the west are appalled(AW) at his fate;(AX)
    those of the east are seized with horror.
21 Surely such is the dwelling(AY) of an evil man;(AZ)
    such is the place(BA) of one who does not know God.”(BB)

Footnotes

  1. Job 18:15 Or Nothing he had remains