20:1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered, |
20:2 "Therefore my disquieting thoughts make me respond, Even because of my inward agitation. |
20:3 "I listened to the reproof which insults me, And the spirit of my understanding makes me answer. |
20:4 "Do you know this from of old, From the establishment of man on earth, |
20:5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless momentary? |
20:6 "Though his loftiness reaches the heavens, And his head touches the clouds, |
20:7 He perishes forever like his refuse; Those who have seen him will say, `Where is he?' |
20:8 "He flies away like a dream, and they cannot find him; Even like a vision of the night he is chased away. |
20:9 "The eye which saw him sees him no longer, And his place no longer beholds him. |
20:10 "His sons favor the poor, And his hands give back his wealth. |
20:11 "His bones are full of his youthful vigor, But it lies down with him in the dust. |
20:12 "Though evil is sweet in his mouth {And} he hides it under his tongue, |
20:13 {Though} he desires it and will not let it go, But holds it in his mouth, |
20:14 {Yet} his food in his stomach is changed To the venom of cobras within him. |
20:15 "He swallows riches, But will vomit them up; God will expel them from his belly. |
20:16 "He sucks the poison of cobras; The viper's tongue slays him. |
20:17 "He does not look at the streams, The rivers flowing with honey and curds. |
20:18 "He returns what he has attained And cannot swallow {it;} As to the riches of his trading, He cannot even enjoy {them.} |
20:19 "For he has oppressed {and} forsaken the poor; He has seized a house which he has not built. |
20:20 "Because he knew no quiet within him, He does not retain anything he desires. |
20:21 "Nothing remains for him to devour, Therefore his prosperity does not endure. |
20:22 "In the fullness of his plenty he will be cramped; The hand of everyone who suffers will come {against} him. |
20:23 "When he fills his belly, {God} will send His fierce anger on him And will rain {it} on him while he is eating. |
20:24 "He may flee from the iron weapon, {But} the bronze bow will pierce him. |
20:25 "It is drawn forth and comes out of his back, Even the glittering point from his gall. Terrors come upon him, |
20:26 Complete darkness is held in reserve for his treasures, And unfanned fire will devour him; It will consume the survivor in his tent. |
20:27 "The heavens will reveal his iniquity, And the earth will rise up against him. |
20:28 "The increase of his house will depart; {His possessions} will flow away in the day of His anger. |
20:29 "This is the wicked man's portion from God, Even the heritage decreed to him by God." |