Chapter 20

  Then Zophar the Naamathite answered,  

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  'Therefore do my thoughts give answer to me, Even by reason of my haste that is in me.  

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  I have heard the reproof which puts me to shame; The spirit of my understanding answers me.  

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  Don't you know this from old time, Since man was placed on earth,  

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  That the triumphing of the wicked is short, The joy of the godless but for a moment?  

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  Though his height mount up to the heavens, And his head reach to the clouds,  

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  Yet he shall perish forever like his own dung, Those who have seen him shall say, 'Where is he?'  

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  He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: Yes, he shall be chased away like a vision of the night.  

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  The eye which saw him shall see him no more, Neither shall his place any more see him.  

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  His children shall seek the favor of the poor. His hands shall give back his wealth.  

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  His bones are full of his youth, But youth shall lie down with him in the dust.  

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  'Though wickedness is sweet in his mouth, Though he hide it under his tongue,  

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  Though he spare it, and will not let it go, But keep it still within his mouth;  

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  Yet his food in his bowels is turned. It is cobra venom within him.  

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  He has swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again. God will cast them out of his belly.  

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  He shall suck cobra venom. The viper's tongue shall kill him.  

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  He shall not look at the rivers, The flowing streams of honey and butter.  

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  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.  

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  For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor. He has violently taken away a house, and he shall not build it up.  

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  'Because he knew no quietness within him, He shall not save anything of that in which he delights.  

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  There was nothing left that he didn't devour, Therefore his prosperity shall not endure.  

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  In the fullness of his sufficiency, distress shall overtake him: The hand of everyone who is in misery shall come on him.  

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  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.  

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  He shall flee from the iron weapon. The bronze arrow shall strike him through.  

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  He draws it forth, and it comes out of his body. Yes, the glittering point comes out of his liver. Terrors are on him.  

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  All darkness is laid up for his treasures. An unfanned fire shall devour him. It shall consume that which is left in his tent.  

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  The heavens shall reveal his iniquity, The earth shall rise up against him.  

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  The increase of his house shall depart; They shall rush away in the day of his wrath.  

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  This is the portion of a wicked man from God, The heritage appointed to him by God.'  

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