Chapter 18
Then Bildad the Shuhite spoke out saying:
How long before you put an end to your speeches?
Consider us, and then we may speak.
Why are we regarded as beasts?
Considered stupid in your eyes?
You who tear yourself to shreds in your anger,
Shall the world’s order be forsaken on your account?
The rock be removed from its place?
In due course, the light of the wicked will fail,
The flame of their fire ceases to shine.
The light goes dark in their tent,
The lamp above them fails.
Their strong steps grow narrow,
Their own schemes cast them down.
They are cast into nets by their own feet,
They walk into a pit fall.
A trap seizes them by the heel,
A noose tightens upon them.
A snare is hidden for them on the ground,
A trap upon their path.
Terrors frighten them on every side,
Pursue their scattering tracks.
Their vigor consumed by hunger,
Disaster ready at their side.
The strength in their skin is consumed,
The firstborn of death overwhelms their extremities.
They are torn from their tents, their strongholds.
They are paraded before the king of terrors.
A flood of fire is ensconced as their tent,
Brimstone is scattered about their dwelling.
Below, their roots are dried up,
Above, their boughs cut off.
All thought of them is lost from the earth,
Their name is not known in the land.
They are thrust from the light into darkness,
Driven out of the inhabited world.
They have neither children nor grandchildren among their people,
No survivor where they lived.
At their fate, earlier ages are appalled,
Generations to come, seized by horror.
Surely, such are the dwellings of evil,
The place of one who does not know God.
Background:
After studying two chapters of Job, I decided that I would start to write what I thought the best translation might be. Since it was not a translation, my brain reached back into what others call a memory and came out with “amalgamation”. (I had to look it up to make sure it was the right term.)
I decided I would read the various translations I am using, a verse at a time, and I would pick an amalgamation for each and see how it went. After fifteen verses, I decided its enjoyable, I am learning more about the meaning of each piece of Job, and I am working the challenge that I sought in starting this study.
I also decided that the added benefit of having something to share with others along the way was worth the risk of being thought of as arrogant or whatever this might be negatively construed as. My goal is to share my walk with God for His glory and if necessary, my shame. I hope you enjoy reading the results and maybe learn a little along the way. (Note I am not marking verses in the poetry.)