Bible Browser

Bildad Speaks: God Punishes the Wicked

18Then Bildad the Shuhite answered:
² ‘How long will you hunt for words?
   Consider, and then we shall speak.
³ Why are we counted as cattle?
   Why are we stupid in your sight?
⁴ You 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.
⁶ The light is dark in their tent,
   and the lamp above them is put out.
⁷ Their strong steps are shortened,
   and their own schemes throw them down.
⁸ For they are thrust into a net by their own feet,
   and they walk into a pitfall.
⁹ A trap seizes them by the heel;
   a snare lays hold of them.
¹⁰ A rope is hid for them in the ground,
   a trap for them in the path.
¹¹ Terrors frighten them on every side,
   and chase them at their heels.
¹² Their strength is consumed by hunger,^*
   and calamity is ready for their stumbling.
¹³ By disease their skin is consumed,^*
   the firstborn of Death consumes their limbs.
¹⁴ They are torn from the tent in which they trusted,
   and are brought to the king of terrors.
¹⁵ In their tents nothing remains;
   sulphur is scattered upon their habitations.
¹⁶ Their roots dry up beneath,
   and their branches wither above.
¹⁷ Their memory perishes from the earth,
   and they have no name in the street.
¹⁸ They are thrust from light into darkness,
   and driven out of the world.
¹⁹ They have no offspring or descendant among their people,
   and no survivor where they used to live.
²⁰ They of the west are appalled at their fate,
   and horror seizes those of the east.
²¹ Surely such are the dwellings of the ungodly,
   such is the place of those who do not know God.’