Add parallel Print Page Options

Bildad Answers Job

18 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered:

“·When will you stop these speeches [L How long before you stop these words]?
    ·Be sensible [or Reflect], and then we can talk [Prov. 15:28; 18:13; 29:20].
·You think of [L Why do you consider/count] us as cattle,
    as ·if we are stupid [L stupid in your eyes/estimation].
You tear ·yourself [your life] to pieces in your anger.
    Should the earth be vacant ·just for [or because of] you?
    Should the rocks move from their places [14:18]?

“The lamp of the wicked will be put out,
    and the flame in their lamps will stop burning.
The light in their tents will grow dark,
    and the lamps ·by their sides [or above them] will go out.
Their ·strong steps [vigorous gait] will grow ·weak [cramped; restricted];
    ·they will fall into their own evil traps [or their own schemes/advice will throw them down].
Their feet will be caught in a net [Prov. 28:9]
    when they walk into ·its web [a snare].
A trap will catch them by the heel [Prov. 22:5]
    and [L a noose] hold them tight.
10 A ·trap for them [L rope] is hidden on the ground,
    right in their path.
11 ·Terrible things [L Terrors] startle them from every side
    and ·chase [or disperse] them at ·every step [L their feet].
12 ·Hunger takes away their strength [or Calamity is hungry for them],
    and disaster is ·at their side [or prepared for them when they stumble].
13 Disease eats away ·parts of their skin [or their fleshy limbs];
    ·death [L the firstborn of Death; C death is personified] ·gnaws at [consumes] their ·arms and legs [L limbs].
14 They are torn from the ·safety [confidence] of their tents
    and ·dragged off to Death, the King of Terrors [L terrors march them off to their king].
15 ·Their tents are set on fire [or Nothing of theirs will remain in their tents],
    and sulfur is scattered over their ·homes [or pastures].
16 Their roots dry up below ground,
    and their branches die above ground [C the wicked are like a dead tree].
17 People on earth will not remember them;
    their names will be forgotten in the land.
18 They will be driven from light into darkness
    and ·chased [driven] out of the world [C they will die].
19 They have no children or descendants among their people,
    and no one will be left alive where they once lived.
20 People ·of the west [or who come after] will be ·shocked [desolated] ·at what has happened to them [by their end/fate],
    and people ·of the east [or who came before] will be ·very frightened [seized with horror].
21 Surely this is ·what will happen to [L the dwelling of] the wicked;
    such is the place of one who does not know God.”

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