Bildad Speaks: God Punishes the Wicked (JOB 18:1-21)

[18:1] Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said:

[18:2] “How long will you hunt for words? Consider, and then we will speak.

[18:3] Why are we counted as cattle? Why are we stupid in your sight?

[18:4] You who tear yourself in your anger, shall the earth be forsaken for you, or the rock be removed out of its place?

[18:5] “Indeed, the light of the wicked is put out, and the flame of his fire does not shine.

[18:6] The light is dark in his tent, and his lamp above him is put out.

[18:7] His strong steps are shortened, and his own schemes throw him down.

[18:8] For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walks on its mesh.

[18:9] A trap seizes him by the heel; a snare lays hold of him.

[18:10] A rope is hidden for him in the ground, a trap for him in the path.

[18:11] Terrors frighten him on every side, and chase him at his heels.

[18:12] His strength is famished, and calamity is ready for his stumbling.

[18:13] It consumes the parts of his skin; the firstborn of death consumes his limbs.

[18:14] He is torn from the tent in which he trusted and is brought to the king of terrors.

[18:15] In his tent dwells that which is none of his; sulfur is scattered over his habitation.

[18:16] His roots dry up beneath, and his branches wither above.

[18:17] His memory perishes from the earth, and he has no name in the street.

[18:18] He is thrust from light into darkness, and driven out of the world.

[18:19] He has no posterity or progeny among his people, and no survivor where he used to live.

[18:20] They of the west are appalled at his day, and horror seizes them of the east.

[18:21] Surely such are the dwellings of the unrighteous, such is the place of him who knows not God.”