Job
Summary
Job Chapter 18 is Bildad the Shuhite’s second speech, where he rebukes Job for his "words" and his attitude toward his friends. Bildad asks how long Job will continue to speak before showing some understanding. He then launches into a terrifying description of the fate of the wicked: their light is put out, they are caught in their own nets, and terrors dog their every step. Bildad suggests that the wicked are consumed by disease and die without descendants, their memory perishing from the earth. His speech is a transparent warning to Job, whom he clearly views as one who does not "know God."
Then Bildad the Shuhite replied:
"How long will you hunt for words? Show some understanding, and then we can talk."
"Why are we regarded as cattle and considered stupid in your sight?"
"You who tear yourself in your anger, is the earth to be abandoned for your sake? Or must the rocks be moved from their place?"
"Indeed, the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out; the flame of his fire stops shining."
"The light in his tent grows dark; the lamp beside him goes out."
"The vigour of his step is checked; his own schemes bring him down."
"His feet thrust him into a net; he wanders into its mesh."
"A trap seizes him by the heel; a snare holds him fast."
"A noose is hidden for him on the ground; a trap lies in his path."
"Terrors startle him on every side and dog his every step."
"Calamity is hungry for him; disaster is ready for him when he falls."
"Disease devours his skin; the firstborn of death consumes his limbs."
"He is torn from the security of his tent and marched off to the king of terrors."
"Fire resides in his tent; burning sulphur is scattered over his dwelling."
"His roots dry up below and his branches wither above."
"The memory of him perishes from the earth; he has no name in the land."
"He is driven from light into darkness and is banished from the world."
"He has no offspring or descendants among his people, no survivor where once he lived."
"People of the west are appalled at his fate; those of the east are seized with horror."
"Surely such is the dwelling of an evil man; such is the place of one who does not know God."