Bildad Speaks: God Punishes the Wicked

18 Then (A)Bildad the Shuhite answered and said:

“How long will you (B)hunt for words?
    Consider, and then we will speak.
Why are we counted as (C)cattle?
    Why are we stupid in your sight?
You who (D)tear yourself in your anger,
    shall the earth be forsaken for you,
    or (E)the rock be removed out of its place?

“Indeed, (F)the light of the wicked is put out,
    and the flame of his fire does not shine.
The light is (G)dark in his tent,
    and his lamp above him is put out.
His strong steps are shortened,
    and his (H)own schemes throw him down.
For he is cast into a net by his own feet,
    and he walks on its mesh.
(I)A trap seizes him by the heel;
    a snare lays hold of him.
10 A rope is hidden for him in the ground,
    a trap for him in the path.
11 (J)Terrors frighten him on every side,
    and chase him at his heels.
12 His strength is famished,
    and calamity is (K)ready for his stumbling.
13 It consumes the parts of his skin;
    (L)the firstborn of death consumes his limbs.
14 He is torn from the tent in which he trusted
    and is brought to (M)the king of terrors.
15 In his tent dwells that which is none of his;
    (N)sulfur is scattered over his habitation.
16 His (O)roots dry up beneath,
    and his branches (P)wither above.
17 His (Q)memory perishes from the earth,
    and he has no name in the street.
18 (R)He is thrust from light into darkness,
    and driven out of the world.
19 He has no (S)posterity or progeny among his people,
    and no survivor where he used to live.
20 They of the west are appalled at his (T)day,
    and (U)horror seizes them of the east.
21 Surely such are the dwellings of the unrighteous,
    such is the place of him who (V)knows not God.”

Segunda participación de Bildad

18 Bildad respondió:

«¡Hablemos menos y pensemos más;
entonces podremos conversar!
Job cree que somos tontos;
nos trata como si fuéramos animales.
Tan enojado está
que él mismo se despedaza;
¡pero eso no cambia nada!

5-6 »La vida de los malvados
es como lámpara que se apaga;
es como la luz de una casa,
que de pronto deja de alumbrar.
7-10 Sus pasos van perdiendo fuerza;
caen en sus propias trampas,
y allí se quedan atrapados.
11-12 El miedo y el desastre
los siguen por todas partes;
¡no los dejan ni un momento!
13 La enfermedad y la muerte
les devoran todo el cuerpo.
14 La muerte los arranca
de la tranquilidad del hogar;
15 en su casa hay olor a azufre
porque el fuego la consume.
16 Los malvados son como un árbol,
al que se le secan las raíces
y se le marchitan las ramas.
17-18 Nadie se acuerda de ellos;
son lanzados a la oscuridad
y su fama queda en el olvido.
19 En el pueblo donde vivían,
no les queda ningún pariente.
20 De un extremo al otro de la tierra,
la gente se asombra y se asusta
al saber cómo acabaron.
21 Así terminan los malvados,
los que no reconocen a Dios».