< Job 18 >

1 Then Bildad the Shuhite replied:
Then Bildad the Shuhite answered,
2 “How long until you end these speeches? Show some sense, and then we can talk.
“How long will you hunt for words? Consider, and afterwards we will speak.
3 Why are we regarded as cattle, as stupid in your sight?
Why are we counted as animals, which have become unclean in your sight?
4 You who tear yourself in anger— should the earth be forsaken on your account, or the rocks be moved from their place?
You who tear yourself in your anger, will the earth be forsaken for you? Or will the rock be removed out of its place?
5 Indeed, the lamp of the wicked is extinguished; the flame of his fire does not glow.
“Yes, the light of the wicked will be put out. The spark of his fire will not shine.
6 The light in his tent grows dark, and the lamp beside him goes out.
The light will be dark in his tent. His lamp above him will be put out.
7 His vigorous stride is shortened, and his own schemes trip him up.
The steps of his strength will be shortened. His own counsel will cast him down.
8 For his own feet lead him into a net, and he wanders into its mesh.
For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he wanders into its mesh.
9 A trap seizes his heel; a snare grips him.
A snare will take him by the heel. A trap will catch him.
10 A noose is hidden in the ground, and a trap lies in his path.
A noose is hidden for him in the ground, a trap for him on the path.
11 Terrors frighten him on every side and harass his every step.
Terrors will make him afraid on every side, and will chase him at his heels.
12 His strength is depleted, and calamity is ready at his side.
His strength will be famished. Calamity will be ready at his side.
13 It devours patches of his skin; the firstborn of death devours his limbs.
The members of his body will be devoured. The firstborn of death will devour his members.
14 He is torn from the shelter of his tent and is marched off to the king of terrors.
He will be rooted out of the security of his tent. He will be brought to the king of terrors.
15 Fire resides in his tent; burning sulfur rains down on his dwelling.
There will dwell in his tent that which is none of his. Sulfur will be scattered on his habitation.
16 The roots beneath him dry up, and the branches above him wither away.
His roots will be dried up beneath. His branch will be cut off above.
17 The memory of him perishes from the earth, and he has no name in the land.
His memory will perish from the earth. He will have no name in the street.
18 He is driven from light into darkness and is chased from the inhabited world.
He will be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world.
19 He has no offspring or posterity among his people, no survivor where he once lived.
He will have neither son nor grandson among his people, nor any remaining where he lived.
20 Those in the west are appalled at his fate, while those in the east tremble in horror.
Those who come after will be astonished at his day, as those who went before were frightened.
21 Surely such is the dwelling of the wicked and the place of one who does not know God.”
Surely such are the dwellings of the unrighteous. This is the place of him who does not know God.”

< Job 18 >