1 T hen Zophar the Naamathite answered,

2 “ Therefore my disquieting thoughts make me respond, Even because of my inward agitation.

3 “ I listened to the reproof which insults me, And the spirit of my understanding makes me answer.

4 “ Do you know this from of old, From the establishment of man on earth,

5 T hat the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless momentary?

6 “ Though his loftiness reaches the heavens, And his head touches the clouds,

7 H e perishes forever like his refuse; Those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’

8 “ He flies away like a dream, and they cannot find him; Even like a vision of the night he is chased away.

9 “ The eye which saw him sees him no longer, And his place no longer beholds him.

10 “ His sons favor the poor, And his hands give back his wealth.

11 “ His bones are full of his youthful vigor, But it lies down with him in the dust.

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

13 T hough he desires it and will not let it go, But holds it in his mouth,

14 Y et his food in his stomach is changed To the venom of cobras within him.

15 “ He swallows riches, But will vomit them up; God will expel them from his belly.

16 “ He sucks the poison of cobras; The viper’s tongue slays him.

17 “ He does not look at the streams, The rivers flowing with honey and curds.

18 “ He returns what he has attained And cannot swallow it; As to the riches of his trading, He cannot even enjoy them.

19 “ For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor; He has seized a house which he has not built.

20 “ Because he knew no quiet within him, He does not retain anything he desires.

21 “ Nothing remains for him to devour, Therefore his prosperity does not endure.

22 “ In the fullness of his plenty he will be cramped; The hand of everyone who suffers will come against him.

23 “ When he fills his belly, God will send His fierce anger on him And will rain it on him while he is eating.

24 “ He may flee from the iron weapon, But the bronze bow will pierce him.

25 “ It is drawn forth and comes out of his back, Even the glittering point from his gall. Terrors come upon him,

26 C omplete darkness is held in reserve for his treasures, And unfanned fire will devour him; It will consume the survivor 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; His possessions will flow away in the day of His anger.

29 “ This is the wicked man’s portion from God, Even the heritage decreed to him by God.”