CHAPTER 18
1Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said:
2When will you put an end to words?
Reflect, and then we can have discussion.
3Why are we accounted like beasts,
equal to them in your sight?
4You who tear yourself in your anger—
shall the earth be neglected on your account
or the rock be moved out of its place?
5Truly, the light of the wicked is extinguished;
the flame of his fire casts no light.
6In his tent light is darkness;
the lamp above him goes out.a
7His vigorous steps are hemmed in,
his own counsel casts him down.
8A net catches him by the feet,
he wanders into a pitfall.
9A trap seizes him by the heel,
a snare lays hold of him.
10A noose is hidden for him on the ground,
a netting for him on the path.
11On every side terrors frighten him;b
they harry him at each step.
12His strength is famished,
disaster is ready at his side,
13His skin is eaten to the limbs,
the firstborn of Death* eats his limbs.
14He is plucked from the security of his tent;
and marched off to the king of terrors.*
15Fire lodges in his tent,
over his abode brimstone is scattered.
16Below, his roots dry up,
and above, his branches wither.
17His memory perishes from the earth,c
and he has no name in the countryside.
18He is driven from light into darkness,
and banished from the world.
19He has neither offshoot nor offspring among his people,
no survivor where once he dwelt.
20Those who come after shall be appalled at his fate;
those who went before are seized with horror.
21So is it then with the dwelling of the impious;
such is the place of the one who does not know God!
* [18:13] Firstborn of Death: that is, disease, plague.
* [18:14] The king of terrors: of Sheol, of Death (cf. the “terrors” in v. 11). However, the Hebrew of this verse is obscure.
a. [18:6] Jb 21:17; Prv 13:9; 24:20.
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