1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said: |
2 "Therefore my anxious thoughts make me answer, Because of the turmoil within me. |
3 I have heard the rebuke that reproaches me, And the spirit of my understanding causes me to answer. |
4 "Do you not know this of old, Since man was placed on earth, |
5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment? |
6 Though his haughtiness mounts up to the heavens, And his head reaches to the clouds, |
7 Yet he will perish forever like his own refuse; Those who have seen him will say, 'Where is he?' |
8 He will fly away like a dream, and not be found; Yes, he will be chased away like a vision of the night. |
9 The eye that saw him will see him no more, Nor will his place behold him anymore. |
10 His children will seek the favor of the poor, And his hands will restore his wealth. |
11 His bones are full of his youthful vigor, But it will lie down with him in the dust. |
12 "Though evil is sweet in his mouth, And he hides it under his tongue, |
13 Though he spares it and does not forsake it, But still keeps it in his mouth, |
14 Yet his food in his stomach turns sour; It becomes cobra venom within him. |
15 He swallows down riches And vomits them up again; God casts them out of his belly. |
16 He will suck the poison of cobras; The viper's tongue will slay him. |
17 He will not see the streams, The rivers flowing with honey and cream. |
18 He will restore that for which he labored, And will not swallow it down; From the proceeds of business He will get no enjoyment. |
19 For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor, He has violently seized a house which he did not build. |
20 "Because he knows no quietness in his heart, He will not save anything he desires. |
21 Nothing is left for him to eat; Therefore his well-being will not last. |
22 In his self-sufficiency he will be in distress; Every hand of misery will come against him. |
23 When he is about to fill his stomach, God will cast on him the fury of His wrath, And will rain it on him while he is eating. |
24 He will flee from the iron weapon; A bronze bow will pierce him through. |
25 It is drawn, and comes out of the body; Yes, the glittering point comes out of his gall. Terrors come upon him; |
26 Total darkness is reserved for his treasures. An unfanned fire will consume him; It shall go ill with him who is left in his tent. |
27 The heavens will reveal his iniquity, And the earth will rise up against him. |
28 The increase of his house will depart, And his goods will flow away in the day of His wrath. |
29 This is the portion from God for a wicked man, The heritage appointed to him by God." |