Bible Stories: Job (Chapter Xviii) Poem by Dr John Celes

Bildad, the Shuhite, replied thus:

When will you end your word-duel?
Reflect and we can discuss well;
Why do you equate us to beasts?
You tear yourself in anger fast.

The light of wicked ones doesn’t stay;
No flame can burn his hearth all day;
His tent remains in dense darkness;
His lamp cannot burn with brightness.

He falls headlong into the net,
And plunges down into the Pit;
His heel is seized by trap, he lays;
A noose lies hid for him always.

At every step, terror affrights;
Ready is disaster all nights;
Destruction brings his tent down soon;
On his abode, God rains brimstone.

His roots are dry: branches wither;
The land forgets his name with ease;
His fame, the earth will soon erase;
From light, he runs into darkness.

Out of the world, he is banished;
His progeny have all vanished;
No survivor stays where he dwelt;
His fate appalls those who come aft;
The ones before are horror-struck.

The impious shall dwell like this;
The atheists never know bliss!


(5-2-2007)