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18 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered,

How long will you lay snares for words and have to hunt for your argument? Do some clear thinking, and then we will reply.

Why are we counted as beasts [as if we had no sense]? Why are we unclean in your sight?

You who tear yourself in your anger, shall the earth be forsaken for you, or the rock be removed out of its place?

Yes, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the flame of his fire shall not shine.(A)

The light shall be dark in his dwelling, and his lamp beside him shall be put out.(B)

The steps of his strength shall be shortened, and his own counsel and the plans in which he trusted shall bring about his downfall.

For the wicked is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walks upon a lattice-covered pit.

A trap will catch him by the heel, and a snare will lay hold on him.

10 A noose is hidden for him on the ground and a trap for him in the way.

11 Terrors shall make him afraid on every side and shall chase him at his heels.

12 The strength [of the wicked] shall be hunger-bitten, and calamity is ready at his side [if he halts].

13 By disease his strength and his skin shall be devoured; the firstborn of death [the worst of diseases] shall consume his limbs.

14 He shall be rooted out of his dwelling place in which he trusted, and he shall be brought to the king of terrors [death].

15 There shall dwell in his tent that which is none of his [family]; sulphur shall be scattered over his dwelling [to purify it after his going].

16 The roots [of the wicked] shall be dried up beneath, and above shall his branch be cut off and wither.

17 His remembrance shall perish from the earth, and he shall have no name in the street.

18 He shall be thrust from light into darkness and driven out of the world.

19 He shall neither have son nor grandson among his people, nor any remaining where he sojourned.

20 They [of the west] that come after [the wicked man] shall be astonished and appalled at his day, as they [of the east] that went before were seized with horror.

21 Surely such are the dwellings of the ungodly, and such is the place of him who knows not (recognizes not and honors not) 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