Study

Bildad Speaks: God Punishes the Wicked

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Then Bildad the Shuhite answered:

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“How long will you hunt for words?

Consider, and then we shall speak.

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Why are we counted as cattle?

Why are we stupid in your sight?

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You who tear yourself in your anger—

shall the earth be forsaken because of you,

or the rock be removed out of its place?

 

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“Surely the light of the wicked is put out,

and the flame of their fire does not shine.

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The light is dark in their tent,

and the lamp above them is put out.

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Their strong steps are shortened,

and their own schemes throw them down.

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

and they walk into a pitfall.

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A trap seizes them by the heel;

a snare lays hold of them.

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A rope is hid for them in the ground,

a trap for them in the path.

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Terrors frighten them on every side,

and chase them at their heels.

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Their strength is consumed by hunger,

and calamity is ready for their stumbling.

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By disease their skin is consumed,

the firstborn of Death consumes their limbs.

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They are torn from the tent in which they trusted,

and are brought to the king of terrors.

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In their tents nothing remains;

sulfur is scattered upon their habitations.

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Their roots dry up beneath,

and their branches wither above.

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Their memory perishes from the earth,

and they have no name in the street.

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They are thrust from light into darkness,

and driven out of the world.

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They have no offspring or descendant among their people,

and no survivor where they used to live.

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They of the west are appalled at their fate,

and horror seizes those of the east.

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Surely such are the dwellings of the ungodly,

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