Bildad’s Second Speech41

18:1 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered:

18:2 “How long until you1 make an end of words?2

You must consider,3 and then4 we can talk.

18:3 Why should we be regarded as beasts,

and considered stupid5 in your sight?

18:4 You who tear yourself6 to pieces in your anger,

will the earth be abandoned7 for your sake?

Or will a rock be moved from its place?8

18:5 “Yes,9 the lamp10 of the wicked is extinguished;

his flame of fire11 does not shine.

18:6 The light in his tent grows dark;

his lamp above him is extinguished.12

18:7 His vigorous steps13 are restricted,14

and his own counsel throws him down.15

18:8 For he has been thrown into a net by his feet16

and he wanders into a mesh.17

18:9 A trap18 seizes him by the heel;

a snare19 grips him.

18:10 A rope is hidden for him20 on the ground

and a trap for him21 lies on the path.

18:11 Terrors22 frighten him on all sides

and dog23 his every step.

18:12 Calamity is24 hungry for him,25

and misfortune is ready at his side.26

18:13 It eats away parts of his skin;27

the most terrible death28 devours his limbs.

18:14 He is dragged from the security of his tent,29

and marched off30 to the king31 of terrors.

18:15 Fire resides in his tent;32

over his residence burning sulfur is scattered.

18:16 Below his roots dry up,

and his branches wither above.

18:17 His memory perishes from the earth,

he has no name in the land.33

18:18 He is driven34 from light into darkness

and is banished from the world.

18:19 He has neither children nor descendants35 among his people,

no survivor in those places he once stayed.36

18:20 People of the west37 are appalled at his fate;38

people of the east are seized with horror,39 saying,40

18:21 ‘Surely such is the residence41 of an evil man;

and this is the place of one who has not known God.’ ”42