Job 18

Bildad’s Second Speech#sn Bildad attacks Job with less subtlety than Eliphaz. He describes the miserable existence of the wicked, indicating that it is the proof of sin. His speech falls into two main parts: why is Job so contemptuous toward his friends (Job 18:2-4), and the fate of the wicked (18:5-21). On this chapter see N. M. Sarna, “The Mythological Background of Job 18,” JBL 82 (1963): 315-18; and W. A. Irwin, “Job’s Redeemer,” JBL 81 (1962): 217-29.

1Then Bildad the Shuhite answered:

2“How long until you make an end of words? You must consider, and then we can talk.

3Why should we be regarded as beasts, and considered stupid in your sight?

4You who tear yourself to pieces in your anger, will the earth be abandoned for your sake? Or will a rock be moved from its place?

5“Yes, the lamp of the wicked is extinguished; his flame of fire does not shine.

6The light in his tent grows dark; his lamp above him is extinguished.

7His vigorous steps are restricted, and his own counsel throws him down.

8For he has been thrown into a net by his feet and he wanders into a mesh.

9A trap seizes him by the heel; a snare grips him.

10A rope is hidden for him on the ground and a trap for him lies on the path.

11Terrors frighten him on all sides and dog his every step.

12Calamity is hungry for him, and misfortune is ready at his side.

13It eats away parts of his skin; the most terrible death devours his limbs.

14He is dragged from the security of his tent, and marched off to the king of terrors.

15Fire resides in his tent; over his residence burning sulfur is scattered.

16Below his roots dry up, and his branches wither above.

17His memory perishes from the earth, he has no name in the land.

18He is driven from light into darkness and is banished from the world.

19He has neither children nor descendants among his people, no survivor in those places he once stayed.

20People of the west are appalled at his fate; people of the east are seized with horror, saying,

21‘Surely such is the residence of an evil man; and this is the place of one who has not known God.’”