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Bildad Rebukes Job

18 Then, Bildad the Shuhite replied, saying:

“How long until you end these words?
    Consider, and then we will talk.
Why are we regarded as beasts,
    and stupid in your eyes?
You, who tear yourself to pieces in anger,
    will the earth be abandoned for your sake?
    Or must a rock be moved from its place?
Indeed, the light of the wicked is snuffed out;
    the flame of his fire does not shine.
The light in his tent grows dark;
    the lamp above him goes out.
His vigorous stride is shortened,
    and his own scheme throws him down.
For he is cast into a net by his feet;
    he wanders into its mesh.
A trap seizes him by the heel;
    a snare holds him fast.
10 A rope is hidden for him on the ground,
    and a trap for him lies on the path.
11 On every side terrors frighten him
    and harass his every step.
12 Calamity is hungry for him;
    disaster is ready for his fall.
13 It eats away pieces of his skin;
    death’s firstborn devours his limbs.
14 He is torn from the security of his tent,
    and marched off to the king of terrors.
15 Nothing of his dwells in his tent;
    brimstone is scattered over his dwelling.
16 Below his roots dry up,
    and above his branches wither.
17 His memory perishes from the earth
    and he has no name in the land.
18 He is driven from light into darkness
    and is banished from the world.
19 He has no offspring or descendant among his people,
    no survivor where he once dwelt.
20 People of the west are appalled at his fate;
    people of the east are seized with horror.
21 Surely such are the dwellings 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