20
1 Then
Zophar the
Naamathite answered,
2 “Therefore
my thoughts answer
me,
even by reason
of my haste
that is in
me.
3 I
have heard the
reproof which puts
me to shame.
The spirit of
my understanding
answers me.
4 Don’t you
know this from
old time,
since man was
placed on earth,
5 that
the triumphing of
the wicked is
short,
the joy of
the godless but
for a moment?
6 Though his
height mount up
to the heavens,
and his head
reach to the
clouds,
7 yet he will
perish forever like his own
dung.
Those who have seen
him will say, ‘Where is he?’
8 He
will fly away as
a dream, and
will not be
found.
Yes, he will be
chased away like
a vision of
the night.
9 The
eye which saw
him will see
him no more,
neither will his
place see him
any more.
10 His
children will seek
the favor of
the poor.
His hands will
give back
his wealth.
11 His
bones are full
of his youth,
but youth will
lie down with
him in the
dust.
12 “Though
wickedness is
sweet in his
mouth,
though he hide it
under his tongue,
13 though he
spare it, and
will not let
it go,
but keep it
still within his
mouth,
14 yet his
food in his
bowels is turned.
It is cobra
venom within him.
15 He has
swallowed down
riches, and he
will vomit them
up again.
God will cast
them out of
his belly.
16 He will
suck cobra venom.
The viper’s tongue
will kill him.
17 He
will not look
at the rivers,
the flowing
streams of honey
and butter.
18 He
will restore that
for which
he labored, and
will not swallow
it down.
He will not
rejoice according to
the substance that
he has gotten.
19 For
he has oppressed
and forsaken the
poor.
He has violently
taken away a
house, and he
will not build
it up.
20 “Because
he knew no
quietness within him,
he will not
save anything of
that in which
he delights.
21 There was
nothing left that
he didn’t devour,
therefore his
prosperity will
not endure.
22 In
the fullness of
his sufficiency,
distress will overtake
him.
The hand of
everyone who is
in misery will
come on him.
23 When
he is about
to fill his belly,
God will cast
the fierceness of
his wrath on
him.
It will rain
on him while
he is eating.
24 He will
flee from the
iron weapon.
The bronze arrow
will strike him
through.
25 He draws
it out, and
it comes out
of his body.
Yes, the glittering
point comes out
of his liver.
Terrors are on him.
26 All
darkness is laid
up for his
treasures.
An unfanned fire will devour
him.
It will consume
that which is
left in his tent.
27 The
heavens will
reveal his
iniquity.
The earth will
rise up against
him.
28 The
increase of his
house will depart.
They will rush
away in the
day of his wrath.
29 This
is the portion
of a wicked
man from God,
the heritage appointed
to him by God.”