Open English Translation JOB Chapter 18

18 Then Bildad (from Shuah) responded again:

2 How long until you stop all these words?

Think first, and then afterwards we can speak.

3 Why are we regarded as cattle,

as if we’re considered by you all as being stupid?

4 People who tear themselves apart in anger,

will the ground be abandoned for your sakes,

or the rock removed out of its place?

5 Indeed, the light of wicked people[fn] is extinguished.

≈the flame of their fire won’t shine.

6 The light in their tents will go dark.

≈and the lamps that hang over their heads will go out.

7 Their strong steps will get shorter,

and their own schemes make them depressed.

8 Yes, they’ll get their feet caught in a net,

≈and they’ll wander around in a maze.

9 They’ll get their heels caught in traps,

≈the sprung jaws will keep hold of them.

10 A rope is hidden in the ground,

≈and a noose lies there on their paths.

11 Sudden noises around them will terrify them,

and follow their steps as they run away.

12 Their strength dissolves into hunger,

and disaster has been prepared for them to stumble into.

13 It devours parts of their skin,

≈death begins by devouring their body parts.

14 They’re pulled from their tents where they felt secure,

and taken away to the king of terrors.

15 Other people will live in their tents.

Sulfur is scattered over their homes.

16 Their roots dry up underneath them,

≈and their branches above them all wither.

17 No one on the earth will remember them any more,

≈and no streets will be named after them.[fn]

18 They’ll be driven from the light out into the darkness,

≈and they’ll be chased out of this world.

19 You won’t find any of their children or grandchildren in their town.

≈nor find any survivor where they previously lived.

20 Those in the west are appalled at their fate,

≈and those in the east are getting the shudders.

21 That’s certainly how the homes of wicked people end up,

≈and that’s the place for people who don’t know God.