Job 18
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Bildad Speaks: God Punishes the Wicked
18 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered:
2 “How long will you hunt for words?
Consider, and then we shall speak.
3 Why are we counted as cattle?
Why are we stupid in your sight?(A)
4 You who tear yourself in your anger—
shall the earth be forsaken because of you
or the rock be removed out of its place?(B)
5 “Surely the light of the wicked is put out,
and the flame of their fire does not shine.(C)
6 The light is dark in their tent,
and the lamp above them is put out.
7 Their strong steps are shortened,
and their own schemes throw them down.(D)
8 For they are thrust into a net by their own feet,
and they walk into a pitfall.(E)
9 A trap seizes them by the heel;
a snare lays hold of them.(F)
10 A rope is hid for them in the ground,
a trap for them in the path.(G)
11 Terrors frighten them on every side
and chase them at their heels.(H)
12 Their strength is consumed by hunger,[a]
and calamity is ready for their stumbling.(I)
13 By disease their skin is consumed;[b]
the firstborn of Death consumes their limbs.
14 They are torn from the tent in which they trusted
and are brought to the king of terrors.(J)
15 In their tents nothing remains;
sulfur is scattered upon their habitations.(K)
16 Their roots dry up beneath,
and their branches wither above.(L)
17 Their memory perishes from the earth,
and they have no name in the street.(M)
18 They are thrust from light into darkness
and driven out of the world.
19 They have no offspring or descendant among their people
and no survivor where they used to live.(N)
20 They of the west are appalled at their fate,
and horror seizes those of the east.
21 Surely such are the dwellings of the ungodly;
such is the place of those who do not know God.”(O)
Job 18
New American Standard Bible
Bildad Speaks of the Wicked
18 Then Bildad the Shuhite responded,
2 “How long will you hunt for words?
Show understanding, and then we can talk.
3 Why are we (A)regarded as animals,
As stupid in your eyes?
4 [a]You who tear yourself in your anger—
Should the earth be abandoned for your sake,
Or the rock moved from its place?
5 “Indeed, the (B)light of the wicked goes out,
And the spark from his fire does not shine.
6 The light in his tent is (C)darkened,
And his lamp goes out above him.
7 His [b]vigorous stride is shortened,
And his (D)own plan brings him down.
8 For he is (E)thrown into the net by his own feet,
And he steps on the webbing.
9 A snare seizes him by the heel,
And a trap snaps shut on him.
10 A noose for him is hidden in the ground,
And a trap for him on the pathway.
11 All around (F)sudden terrors frighten him,
And (G)harass him at every step.
12 His strength is (H)famished,
And disaster is ready at his side.
13 [c]It devours parts of his skin,
The firstborn of death (I)devours his [d]limbs.
14 He is (J)torn from [e]the security of his tent,
And [f]they march him before the king of (K)terrors.
15 [g]Nothing of his dwells in his tent;
(L)Brimstone is scattered on his home.
16 His (M)roots are dried below,
And his (N)branch withers above.
17 (O)The memory of him perishes from the earth,
And he has no name abroad.
18 [h]He is driven from light (P)into darkness,
And (Q)chased from the inhabited world.
19 He has no (R)offspring or descendants among his people,
Nor any survivor where he resided.
20 Those in the west are appalled at (S)his [i]fate,
And those in the east are seized with horror.
21 Certainly these are the (T)dwellings of the wicked,
And this is the place of him who does not know God.”
Footnotes
- Job 18:4 Lit The one who tears himself in his
- Job 18:7 Lit steps of his strength
- Job 18:13 Another reading is His skin is devoured by illness
- Job 18:13 Or parts
- Job 18:14 Lit his tent his trust
- Job 18:14 Lit you march or she marches
- Job 18:15 Another reading is Fire dwells in his tent
- Job 18:18 Lit They drive him...And chase him
- Job 18:20 Lit day
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
