< Job 18 >

1 Then Baldad the Sauchite answered and said,
Then Bildad the Shuhite answered,
2 How long will you continue? forbear, that we also may speak.
“How long will you hunt for words? Consider, and afterwards we will speak.
3 For therefore have we been silent before you like brutes?
Why are we counted as animals, which have become unclean in your sight?
4 Anger has possessed you: for what if you should die; would [the earth] under heaven be desolate? or shall the mountains be overthrown from their foundations?
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 But the light of the ungodly shall be quenched, and their flame shall not go up.
“Yes, the light of the wicked will be put out. The spark of his fire won’t shine.
6 His light [shall be] darkness in [his] habitation, and his lamp shall be put out with him.
The light will be dark in his tent. His lamp above him will be put out.
7 Let the meanest of men spoil his goods, and let his counsel deceive [him].
The steps of his strength will be shortened. His own counsel will cast him down.
8 His foot also has been caught in a snare, [and] let it be entangled in a net.
For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he wanders into its mesh.
9 And let snares come upon him: he shall strengthen those that thirst for his destruction.
A snare will take him by the heel. A trap will catch him.
10 His snare is hid in the earth, and that which shall take him is by the path.
A noose is hidden for him in the ground, a trap for him on the path.
11 Let pains destroy him round about, and let many [enemies] come about him,
Terrors will make him afraid on every side, and will chase him at his heels.
12 [vex him] with distressing hunger: and a signal destruction has been prepared for him.
His strength will be famished. Calamity will be ready at his side.
13 Let the soles of his feet be devoured: and death shall consume his beauty.
The members of his body will be devoured. The firstborn of death will devour his members.
14 And let health be utterly banished from his tabernacle, and let distress seize upon him with a charge from the king.
He will be rooted out of the security of his tent. He will be brought to the king of terrors.
15 It shall dwell in his tabernacle in his night: his excellency shall be sown with brimstone.
There will dwell in his tent that which is none of his. Sulphur will be scattered on his habitation.
16 His roots shall be dried up from beneath, and his crop shall fall away from above.
His roots will be dried up beneath. His branch will be cut off above.
17 Let his memorial perish out of the earth, and his name shall be publicly cast out.
His memory will perish from the earth. He will have no name in the street.
18 Let [one] drive him from light into darkness.
He will be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world.
19 He shall not be known amongst his people, nor his house preserved on the earth.
He will have neither son nor grandson amongst his people, nor any remaining where he lived.
20 But strangers shall dwell in his possessions: the last groaned for him, and wonder seized the first.
Those who come after will be astonished at his day, as those who went before were frightened.
21 These are the houses of the unrighteous, and this is the place of them that know not the Lord.
Surely such are the dwellings of the unrighteous. This is the place of him who doesn’t know God.”

< Job 18 >