Bildad Speaks: God Punishes the Wicked

1Then Bildad the Shuhite answered:

2‘How long will you hunt for words?

Consider, and then we shall speak.

3Why are we counted as cattle?

Why are we stupid in your sight?

4You who tear yourself in your anger—

shall the earth be forsaken because of you,

or the rock be removed out of its place?

5‘Surely the light of the wicked is put out,

and the flame of their fire does not shine.

6The light is dark in their tent,

and the lamp above them is put out.

7Their strong steps are shortened,

and their own schemes throw them down.

8For they are thrust into a net by their own feet,

and they walk into a pitfall.

9A trap seizes them by the heel;

a snare lays hold of them.

10A rope is hid for them in the ground,

a trap for them in the path.

11Terrors frighten them on every side,

and chase them at their heels.

12Their strength is consumed by hunger,18.12 Or Disaster is hungry for them

and calamity is ready for their stumbling.

13By disease their skin is consumed,18.13 Cn: Heb It consumes the limbs of his skin

the firstborn of Death consumes their limbs.

14They are torn from the tent in which they trusted,

and are brought to the king of terrors.

15In their tents nothing remains;

sulphur is scattered upon their habitations.

16Their roots dry up beneath,

and their branches wither above.

17Their memory perishes from the earth,

and they have no name in the street.

18They are thrust from light into darkness,

and driven out of the world.

19They have no offspring or descendant among their people,

and no survivor where they used to live.

20They of the west are appalled at their fate,

and horror seizes those of the east.

21Surely such are the dwellings of the ungodly,

such is the place of those who do not know God.’