[1] Then Zophar the Naamathite answered, [2] "Therefore do my thoughts give
answer to 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 shall perish forever like his
own dung, Those who have seen him shall say, `Where is he?` [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. [9] The eye which saw him shall see him no
more, Neither shall his place any more see him. [10] His children shall
seek the favor of the poor. His hands shall give back his wealth. [11]
His bones are full of his youth, But youth shall 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 shall vomit them up again. God will cast them out of his belly.
[16] He shall suck cobra venom. The viper`s tongue shall kill him. [17]
He shall not look at the rivers, The flowing streams of honey and
butter. [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. [19] For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor. He
has violently taken away a house, and he shall not build it up. [20]
"Because he knew no quietness within him, He shall not save anything of
that in which he delights. [21] There was nothing left that he didn`t
devour, Therefore his prosperity shall not endure. [22] In the fullness
of his sufficiency, distress shall overtake him: The hand of everyone
who is in misery shall 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 shall flee from the iron weapon.
The bronze arrow shall strike him through. [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. [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. [27] The heavens shall reveal his iniquity, The earth shall
rise up against him. [28] The increase of his house shall depart; They
shall 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."
