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