1 T hen Zophar the Naamathite answered,

2 “ Therefore do my thoughts give answer to me, even by reason of my haste that is in me.

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

4 D on’t you know this from old time, since man was placed on earth,

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

6 T hough his height mount up to the heavens, and his head reach to the clouds,

7 y et he shall perish forever like his own dung. Those who have seen him shall say, ‘Where is he?’

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

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

10 H is children shall seek the favor of the poor. His hands shall give back his wealth.

11 H is bones are full of his youth, but youth shall lie down with him in the dust.

12 “ Though wickedness is sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue,

13 t hough he spare it, and will not let it go, but keep it still within his mouth;

14 y et his food in his bowels is turned. It is 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.

16 H e shall suck cobra venom. The viper’s tongue shall kill him.

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

18 T hat for which he labored he shall restore, and shall not swallow it down. According to the substance that he has gotten, he shall not rejoice.

19 F or he has oppressed and forsaken the poor. He has violently taken away a house, and he shall not build it up.

20 “ Because he knew no quietness within him, he shall not save anything of that in which he delights.

21 T here was nothing left that he didn’t devour, therefore his prosperity shall not endure.

22 I n the fullness of his sufficiency, distress shall overtake him. The hand of everyone who is in misery shall come on him.

23 W hen he is about to fill his belly, God will cast the fierceness of his wrath on him. It will rain on him while he is eating.

24 H e shall flee from the iron weapon. The bronze arrow shall strike him through.

25 H e draws it out, and it comes out of his body. Yes, the glittering point comes out of his liver. Terrors are on him.

26 A ll darkness is laid up for his treasures. An unfanned fire shall devour him. It shall consume that which is left in his tent.

27 T he heavens shall reveal his iniquity. The earth shall rise up against him.

28 T he increase of his house shall depart. They shall rush away in the day of his wrath.

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