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20:1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered, 20:2 "Therefore my disquieting thoughts make me respond, Even because of my inward agitation. 20:3 "I listened to the reproof which insults me, And the spirit of my understanding makes me answer. 20:4 "Do you know this from of old, From the establishment of man on earth, 20:5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless momentary? 20:6 "Though his loftiness reaches the heavens, And his head touches the clouds, 20:7 He perishes forever like his refuse; Those who have seen him will say, 'Where is he?' 20:8 "He flies away like a dream, and they cannot find him; Even like a vision of the night he is chased away. 20:9 "The eye which saw him sees him no more, And his place no longer beholds him. 20:10 "His sons favor the poor, And his hands give back his wealth. 20:11 "His bones are full of his youthful vigor, But it lies down with him in the dust. 20:12 "Though evil is sweet in his mouth, [And] he hides it under his tongue, 20:13 [Though] he desires it and will not let it go, But holds it in his mouth, 20:14 [Yet] his food in his stomach is changed To the venom of cobras within him. 20:15 "He swallows riches, But will vomit them up; God will expel them from his belly. 20:16 "He sucks the poison of cobras; The viper's tongue slays him. 20:17 "He does not look at the streams, The rivers flowing with honey and curds. 20:18 "He returns what he has attained And cannot swallow [it]; As to the riches of his trading, He cannot even enjoy [them]. 20:19 "For he has oppressed [and] forsaken the poor; He has seized a house which he has not built. 20:20 "Because he knew no quiet within him He does not retain anything he desires. 20:21 "Nothing remains for him to devour, Therefore his prosperity does not endure. 20:22 "In the fulness of his plenty he will be cramped; The hand of everyone who suffers will come [against] him. 20:23 "When he fills his belly, [God] will send His fierce anger on him And will rain [it] on him while he is eating. 20:24 "He may flee from the iron weapon, [But] the bronze bow will pierce him. 20:25 "It is drawn forth and comes out of his back, Even the glittering point from his gall. Terrors come upon him, 20:26 Complete darkness is held in reserve for his treasures, And unfanned fire will devour him; It will consume the survivor in his tent. 20:27 "The heavens will reveal his iniquity, And the earth will rise up against him. 20:28 "The increase of his house will depart; [His possessions] will flow away in the day of His anger. 20:29 "This is the wicked man's portion from God, Even the heritage decreed to him by God."