1 T hen Zophar the Naamathite answered,

Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said:

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

“Therefore my anxious thoughts make me answer, Because of the turmoil within me.

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

I have heard the rebuke that reproaches me, And the spirit of my understanding causes me to answer.

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

“Do you not know this of old, Since man was placed on earth,

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

That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment?

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

Though his haughtiness 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?

Yet he will perish forever like his own refuse; 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.

He will fly away like a dream, and not be found; Yes, he will be chased away like 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.

The eye that saw him will see him no more, Nor will his place behold him anymore.

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

His children will seek the favor of the poor, And his hands will restore his wealth.

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

His bones are full of his youthful vigor, 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,

“Though evil is sweet in his mouth, And he hides it under his tongue,

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

Though he spares it and does not forsake it, But still keeps it in his mouth,

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

Yet his food in his stomach turns sour; It becomes cobra venom within him.

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

He swallows down riches And vomits them up again; God casts them out of his belly.

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

He will suck the poison of cobras; The viper’s tongue will slay him.

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

He will not see the streams, The rivers flowing with honey and cream.

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.

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

For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor, He has violently seized 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.

“Because he knows no quietness in his heart, He will not save anything he desires.

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

Nothing is left for him to eat; Therefore his well-being will not last.

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.

In his self-sufficiency he will be in distress; Every hand of misery will come against 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.

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

He will flee from the iron weapon; A bronze bow will pierce 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;

It is drawn, and comes out of the body; Yes, the glittering point comes out of his gall. Terrors come 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.

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

The heavens will reveal his iniquity, And the earth will rise up against him.

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

The increase of his house will depart, And his goods will flow away in the day of His wrath.

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

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