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Chapter 18

Bildad’s Second Speech. Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said:

When will you put an end to words?
    Reflect, and then we can have discussion.
Why are we accounted like beasts,
    equal to them in your sight?
You who tear yourself in your anger—
    shall the earth be neglected on your account
    or the rock be moved out of its place?
Truly, the light of the wicked is extinguished;
    the flame of his fire casts no light.
In his tent light is darkness;
    the lamp above him goes out.(A)
His vigorous steps are hemmed in,
    his own counsel casts him down.
A net catches him by the feet,
    he wanders into a pitfall.
A trap seizes him by the heel,
    a snare lays hold of him.
10 A noose is hidden for him on the ground,
    a netting for him on the path.
11 On every side terrors frighten him;(B)
    they harry him at each step.
12 His strength is famished,
    disaster is ready at his side,
13 His skin is eaten to the limbs,
    the firstborn of Death[a] eats his limbs.
14 He is plucked from the security of his tent;
    and marched off to the king of terrors.[b]
15 Fire lodges in his tent,
    over his abode brimstone is scattered.
16 Below, his roots dry up,
    and above, his branches wither.
17 His memory perishes from the earth,(C)
    and he has no name in the countryside.
18 He is driven from light into darkness,
    and banished from the world.
19 He has neither offshoot nor offspring among his people,
    no survivor where once he dwelt.
20 Those who come after shall be appalled at his fate;
    those who went before are seized with horror.
21 So is it then with the dwelling of the impious;
    such is the place of the one who does not know God!

Footnotes

  1. 18:13 Firstborn of Death: that is, disease, plague.
  2. 18:14 The king of terrors: of Sheol, of Death (cf. the “terrors” in v. 11). However, the Hebrew of this verse is obscure.

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