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25 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,

Dominion and fear are with him, he maketh peace in his high places.

Is there any number of his armies? and upon whom doth not his light arise?

How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?

Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars are not pure in his sight.

How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, which is a worm?

Bildad’s Third Speech[a]

Chapter 25

God’s Dominance Inspires Terror. Then Bildad the Shuhite responded:

“Sovereignty and awe belong to God
    who has established peace in his realm on high.
How can anyone number his forces?[b]
    Upon whom does his light not arise?
“How then can any man be righteous in God’s eyes?
    How can one born of woman be regarded as virtuous?
If in his eyes the moon is not bright
    and the stars are not pure,
how much less is man, who is a maggot,
    a son of man, who is a worm?”

Footnotes

  1. Job 25:1 The course of the debate gives the author an opportunity to introduce a fine piece on the greatness of God. According to some critics, Job interrupts briefly (Job 26:1-4), and Bildad’s speech continues in Job 26:5-14. In this interpretation, Job picks up his thread again in Job 27:1ff.
  2. Job 25:3 Forces: the angels and the stars.

Bildad Talks

25 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered, “Power and fear belong to God. He keeps peace in His high places. Is there any number to His armies? Upon whom does His light not shine? How then can a man be right and good before God? How can he who is born of woman be clean? See, even the moon is not bright and the stars are not pure in His eyes. How much less man, who is a bug, and the son of man, who is a worm!”