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The Second Speech of Bildad

18 Then Bildad the Shuhite replied,

“Job, when will you stop these speeches of yours?
    Be reasonable! Then we can talk.
Why do you look at us as if we were cattle?
    Why do you think of us as being stupid?
Your anger is tearing you to pieces.
    Does the earth have to be deserted just to prove you are right?
    Must all the rocks be moved from their places?

“The lamps of sinful people are blown out.
    Their flames will never burn again.
The lights in their tents become dark.
    The lamps beside those who are evil go out.
They walk more slowly than they used to.
    Their own evil plans make them fall.
Their feet take them into a net.
    They wander right into it.
A trap grabs hold of their heels.
    It refuses to let them go.
10 A trap lies in their path.
    A rope to catch them is hidden on the ground.
11 Terrors alarm them on every side.
    They follow them every step of the way.
12 Trouble would like to eat them up.
    Danger waits for them when they fall.
13 It eats away parts of their skin.
    Death itself feeds on their arms and legs.
14 They are torn away from the safety of their tents.
    They are marched off to the one who rules over death.
15 Fire races through their tents.
    Burning sulfur is scattered over their homes.
16 Their roots dry up under them.
    Their branches dry up above them.
17 No one on earth remembers them.
    Their names are forgotten in the land.
18 They are driven from light into the place of darkness.
    They are thrown out of the world.
19 Their family dies out among their people.
    No one is left where they used to live.
20 What has happened to them shocks the people in the west.
    It terrifies the people in the east.
21 Now you know what the homes of sinners are like.
    Those who don’t know God live in places like that.”

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