| 1 | Then Zophar the Naamathite answered, |
| 2 | Therefore do my thoughts give me an answer, and I make haste [to offer it] for this reason. |
| 3 | I have heard the reproof which puts me to shame, but out of my understanding my spirit answers me. |
| 4 | Do you not know from of old, since the time that man was placed on the earth, |
| 5 | That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless
and
defiled is but for a moment? |
| 6 | Though his [proud] height mounts up to the heavens and his head reaches 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 like a dream and will not be found; yes, he will be chased away as a vision of the night. |
| 9 | The eye which saw him will see him no more, neither will his [accustomed] place any more behold him. |
| 10 | The poor will oppress his children, and his hands will give back his [ill-gotten] wealth. |
| 11 | His bones are full of youthful energy, but it will lie down with him in the dust. |
| 12 | Though wickedness is sweet in his mouth, though he hides it under his tongue, |
| 13 | Though he is loath to let it go but keeps it still within his mouth, |
| 14 | Yet his food turns [to poison] in his stomach; it is the venom of asps within him. |
| 15 | He has swallowed down [his ill-gotten] riches, and he shall vomit them up again; God will cast them out of his belly. |
| 16 | He shall suck the poison of asps [which ill-gotten wealth contains]; the viper’s tongue shall slay him. |
| 17 | He shall not look upon the rivers, the flowing streams of honey and butter [to enjoy his wealth]. |
| 18 | That which he labored for shall he give back and shall not swallow it down [to enjoy it]; according to his wealth shall the restitution be, and he shall not rejoice in it. |
| 19 | For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor; he has violently taken away a house which he did not build. |
| 20 | Because his desire
and
greed knew no quietness within him, he will not save anything of that in which he delights. |
| 21 | There was nothing left that he did not devour; therefore his prosperity will not endure. |
| 22 | In the fullness of his sufficiency [in the time of his great abundance] he shall be poor and in straits; every hand of everyone who is in misery shall come upon him [he is but a wretch on every side]. |
| 23 | When he is about to fill his belly [as in the wilderness when God sent the quails], God will cast the fierceness of His wrath upon him and will rain it upon him while he is eating. |
| 24 | He will flee from the iron weapon, but the bow of bronze shall strike him through. |
| 25 | [The arrow] is drawn forth and it comes out after passing through his body; yes, the glittering point comes out of his gall. Terrors march in upon him; |
| 26 | Every misfortune is laid up for his treasures. A fire not blown by man shall devour him; it shall consume what is left in his tent [and it shall go ill with him who remains there]. |
| 27 | The heavens shall reveal his iniquity, and the earth shall rise up against him. |
| 28 | The produce
and
increase of his house will go into exile [with the victors], dragged away in the day of [God’s] wrath. |
| 29 | This is the wicked man’s portion from God, and the heritage appointed to him by God. |
Cross references:
-
Job 20:5 : Ps. 37:35, 36.
-
Job 20:23 : Num. 11:33; Ps. 78:26-31.
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