1 T hen Zophar the Naamathite answered,

2 T herefore do my thoughts give me an answer, and I make haste for this reason.

3 I have heard the reproof which puts me to shame, but out of my understanding my spirit answers me.

4 D o you not know from of old, since the time that man was placed on the earth,

5 T hat the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless and defiled is but for a moment?

6 T hough his height mounts up to the heavens and his head reaches to the clouds,

7 Y et he will perish forever like his own dung; those who have seen him will say, Where is he?

8 H e will fly away like a dream and will not be found; yes, he will be chased away as a vision of the night.

9 T he eye which saw him will see him no more, neither will his place any more behold him.

10 T he poor will oppress his children, and his hands will give back his wealth.

11 H is bones are full of youthful energy, but it will lie down with him in the dust.

12 T hough wickedness is sweet in his mouth, though he hides it under his tongue,

13 T hough he is loath to let it go but keeps it still within his mouth,

14 Y et his food turns in his stomach; it is the venom of asps within him.

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

16 H e shall suck the poison of asps; the viper’s tongue shall slay him.

17 H e shall not look upon the rivers, the flowing streams of honey and butter.

18 T hat which he labored for shall he give back and shall not swallow it down; according to his wealth shall the restitution be, and he shall not rejoice in it.

19 F or he has oppressed and forsaken the poor; he has violently taken away a house which he did not build.

20 B ecause his desire and greed knew no quietness within him, he will not save anything of that in which he delights.

21 T here was nothing left that he did not devour; therefore his prosperity will not endure.

22 I n the fullness of his sufficiency he shall be poor and in straits; every hand of everyone who is in misery shall come upon him.

23 W hen he is about to fill his belly, God will cast the fierceness of His wrath upon him and will rain it upon him while he is eating.

24 H e will flee from the iron weapon, but the bow of bronze shall strike him through.

25 i s drawn forth and it comes out after passing through his body; yes, the glittering point comes out of his gall. Terrors march in upon him;

26 E very misfortune is laid up for his treasures. A fire not blown by man shall devour him; it shall consume what is left in his tent.

27 T he heavens shall reveal his iniquity, and the earth shall rise up against him.

28 T he produce and increase of his house will go into exile, dragged away in the day of wrath.

29 T his is the wicked man’s portion from God, and the heritage appointed to him by God.