Job 18
1 Then Bildad replied [again]:
Then Bildad the Shuhite replied:
2 “When are you going to stop talking [RHQ]? If you would stop talking and listen, we could tell you something.
“How long until you end these speeches? Show some sense, and then we can talk.
3 Why do you think that we are [as stupid] as cattle? [DOU, RHQ]
Why are we regarded as cattle, as stupid in your sight?
4 By being [very] angry and hurting yourself, do you think that doing that will shake the earth, or cause the rocks in the mountains to move? [RHQ]?
You who tear yourself in anger— should the earth be forsaken on your account, or the rocks be moved from their place?
5 “What will happen is that the lives of wicked people [like you] end [as quickly as we can] put out a light or extinguish the flame of a fire.
Indeed, the lamp of the wicked is extinguished; the flame of his fire does not glow.
6 And when the lamps above them [in their tents] are extinguished, there will be no light in those tents.
The light in his tent grows dark, and the lamp beside him goes out.
7 [For many years] they walked confidently, but later [in life it was as though] they stumbled and fell, because [they themselves did not heed] the advice [that they gave to others].
His vigorous stride is shortened, and his own schemes trip him up.
8 [It was as though] they walked into their own net or fell into a pit that they themselves have dug.
For his own feet lead him into a net, and he wanders into its mesh.
9 [It was as though] a trap grabbed their heels and held them fast [DOU],
A trap seizes his heel; a snare grips him.
10 [as though the noose of] a rope that was hidden on the ground, [whose other end was fastened to the limb of a tree], seized them when they walked into it.
A noose is hidden in the ground, and a trap lies in his path.
11 Everywhere they went, there were things that caused them to be terrified; [it was as though] those things were pursuing them and biting at their heels.
Terrors frighten him on every side and harass his every step.
12 They became hungry, with the result that they had no strength. They experienced disasters [PRS] constantly.
His strength is depleted, and calamity is ready at his side.
13 Diseases spread all over their skin/bodies; diseases that (caused their bodies to decay/destroyed their arms and legs).
It devours patches of his skin; the firstborn of death devours his limbs.
14 [When they died, ] they were snatched away from their tents and brought to the one who rules over the dead.
He is torn from the shelter of his tent and is marched off to the king of terrors.
15 Now their tents will burn down, when burning sulfur rains down on those tents!
Fire resides in his tent; burning sulfur rains down on his dwelling.
16 [Because those who died had no descendants], they were [like trees whose] roots have dried up and whose branches have all withered [MET].
The roots beneath him dry up, and the branches above him wither away.
17 No one on the earth will remember them any more; no [one on any] street [will even remember] their names [MTY].
The memory of him perishes from the earth, and he has no name in the land.
18 They will be expelled from the earth where there is light, and they will be sent into the place where it is dark.
He is driven from light into darkness and is chased from the inhabited world.
19 They will have no children or grandchildren, no descendants where they previously lived.
He has no offspring or posterity among his people, no survivor where he once lived.
20 People from the east to the west [who hear about what happened to them], will be shocked and horrified.
Those in the west are appalled at his fate, while those in the east tremble in horror.
21 And that is what happens to ungodly/sinful people [like you], to people who (have no interest in/have rejected) God.”
Surely such is the dwelling of the wicked and the place of one who does not know God.”
