1 T hen 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 T hat the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment?

6 T hough his haughtiness mounts up to the heavens, And his head reaches to the clouds,

7 Y et 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 not be found; Yes, he will be chased away like a vision of the night.

9 T he eye that saw him will see him no more, Nor will his place behold him anymore.

10 H is children will seek the favor of the poor, And his hands will restore his wealth.

11 H is 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 T hough he spares it and does not forsake it, But still keeps it in his mouth,

14 Y et his food in his stomach turns sour; It becomes cobra venom within him.

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

16 H e will suck the poison of cobras; The viper’s tongue will slay him.

17 H e will not see the streams, The rivers flowing with honey and cream.

18 H e 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 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 N othing is left for him to eat; Therefore his well-being will not last.

22 I n 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 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; A bronze bow will pierce him through.

25 I t is drawn, and comes out of the body; Yes, the glittering point comes out of his gall. Terrors come upon him;

26 T otal 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 will reveal his iniquity, And the earth will rise up against him.

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

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