20:1  THEN ZOPHAR the Naamathite answered,

20:2  Therefore do my thoughts give me an answer, and I make haste [to offer it] for this reason.

20:3  I have heard the reproof which puts me to shame, but out of my understanding my spirit answers me.

20:4  Do you not know from of old, since the time that man was placed on the earth,

20:5  That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless {and} defiled is but for a moment?

20:6  Though his [proud] height mounts up to the heavens and his head reaches to the clouds,

20:7  Yet he will perish forever like his own dung; those who have seen him will say, Where is he?

20:8  He will fly away like a dream and will not be found; yes, he will be chased away as a vision of the night.

20:9  The eye which saw him will see him no more, neither will his [accustomed] place any more behold him.

20:10  The poor will oppress his children, and his hands will give back his [ill-gotten] wealth.

20:11  His bones are full of youthful energy, but it will lie down with him in the dust.

20:12  Though wickedness is sweet in his mouth, though he hides it under his tongue,

20:13  Though he is loath to let it go but keeps it still within his mouth,

20:14  Yet his food turns [to poison] in his stomach; it is the venom of asps within him.

20:15  He has swallowed down [his ill-gotten] riches, and he shall vomit them up again; God will cast them out of his belly.

20:16  He shall suck the poison of asps [which ill-gotten wealth contains]; the viper's tongue shall slay him.

20:17  He shall not look upon the rivers, the flowing streams of honey and butter [to enjoy his wealth].

20:18  That which he labored for shall he give back and shall not swallow it down [to enjoy it]; according to his wealth shall the restitution be, and he shall not rejoice in it.

20:19  For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor; he has violently taken away a house which he did not build.

20:20  Because his desire {and} greed knew no quietness within him, he will not save anything of that in which he delights.

20:21  There was nothing left that he did not devour; therefore his prosperity will not endure.

20:22  In the fullness of his sufficiency [in the time of his great abundance] he shall be poor and in straits; every hand of everyone who is in misery shall come upon him [he is but a wretch on every side].

20:23  When he is about to fill his belly [as in the wilderness when God sent the quails], God will cast the fierceness of His wrath upon him and will rain it upon him while he is eating.

20:24  He will flee from the iron weapon, but the bow of bronze shall strike him through.

20:25  [The arrow] is drawn forth and it comes out after passing through his body; yes, the glittering point comes out of his gall. Terrors march in upon him;

20:26  Every misfortune is laid up for his treasures. A fire not blown by man shall devour him; it shall consume what is left in his tent [and it shall go ill with him who remains there].

20:27  The heavens shall reveal his iniquity, and the earth shall rise up against him.

20:28  The produce {and} increase of his house will go into exile [with the victors], dragged away in the day of [God's] wrath.

20:29  This is the wicked man's portion from God, and the heritage appointed to him by God.