1 T hen Zophar the Naamathite answered,

2 “ My troubled thoughts make me answer, because I have no rest inside.

3 I heard the strong words that take away my honor. The spirit of my understanding makes me answer.

4 D o you not know from long ago, since man was put on earth,

5 t hat the honor of the sinful is short, and the joy of the sinful lasts only a short time?

6 E ven if his pride is as high as the heavens and his head touches the clouds,

7 h e will be gone forever, like his own waste. Those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’

8 H e will fly away like a dream, and not be found. He will be driven away like a dream of the night.

9 T he eye which saw him will see him no more. His place will no longer see him.

10 H is sons will look for the favor of the poor. And his hands will give back his riches.

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

12 “ Sin is sweet in his mouth. He hides it under his tongue.

13 H e hates to let it go, and holds it in his mouth.

14 Y et his food in his stomach is changed to the poison of snakes inside him.

15 H e eats riches, but will spit them up. God will take them out of his stomach.

16 H e will drink the poison of snakes. The snake’s tongue will kill him.

17 H e will not look at the rivers, the rivers flowing with honey and milk.

18 H e must return what he has worked for, and can not eat it. He will not have joy from the riches of his trading.

19 F or he has taken from the poor and left them with nothing. He has taken houses which he has not built.

20 “ Because he thought he never had enough, he has nothing that gives him joy.

21 T here was nothing more for him to get, so his having everything will not last.

22 E ven when he has many riches, he will have trouble. Everyone who suffers will come against him.

23 W hen he fills his stomach, God will send His great anger on him. He will send it on him while he is eating.

24 H e may get away from the iron sword, but the brass bow will shoot an arrow in him.

25 I t cuts through his body and comes out of his back. The shining arrow comes out of his liver. Much fear comes upon him.

26 C omplete darkness is stored up for his riches. A fire not kept going by man will burn him up. It will destroy all that is left in his tent.

27 T he heavens will make his sin known, and the earth will rise up against him.

28 T he things of his house will be carried away. They will be taken away in the day of God’s anger.

29 T his is what God has for sinful men. It is what God chooses to give to them.”