20:001

Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said

20:002

Therefore do my thoughts give answer to me, even by reason of mine agitation that is in me

20:003

I have heard the reproof which putteth me to shame, but out of my understanding my spirit answereth me

20:004

Knowest thou not this of old time, since man was placed upon earth

20:005

That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless but for a moment

20:006

Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds

20:007

Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung; they that have seen him shall say: 'Where is he?

20:008

He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found; yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night

20:009

The eye which saw him shall see him no more; neither shall his place any more behold him

20:010

His children shall appease the poor, and his hands shall restore his wealth

20:011

His bones are full of his youth, but it shall lie down with him in the dust

20:012

Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue

20:013

Though he spare it, and will not let it go, but keep it still within his mouth

20:014

Yet his food in his bowels is turned, it is the gall of asps within him

20:015

He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again; G-d shall cast them out of his belly

20:016

He shall suck the poison of asps; the viper's tongue shall slay him

20:017

He shall not look upon the rivers, the flowing streams of honey and curd

20:018

That which he laboured for shall he give back, and shall not swallow it down; according to the substance that he hath gotten, he shall not rejoice

20:019

For he hath oppressed and forsaken the poor; he hath violently taken away a house, and he shall not build it up

20:020

Because he knew no quietness within him, in his greed he suffered nought to escape

20:021

There was nothing left that he devoured not--therefore his prosperity shall not endure

20:022

In the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits; the hand of every one that is in misery shall come upon him

20:023

It shall be for the filling of his belly; He shall cast the fierceness of His wrath upon him, and shall cause it to rain upon him into his flesh

20:024

If he flee from the iron weapon, the bow of brass shall strike him through

20:025

He draweth it forth, and it cometh out of his body; yea, the glittering point cometh out of his gall; terrors are upon him

20:026

All darkness is laid up for his treasures; a fire not blown by man shall consume him; it shall go ill with him that is left in his tent

20:027

The heavens shall reveal his iniquity, and the earth shall rise up against him

20:028

The increase of his house shall depart, his goods shall flow away in the day of his wrath

20:029

This is the portion of a wicked man from G-d, and the heritage appointed unto him by G-d