1Then Zophar the Naamathite answered, and said,
2Therefore my thoughts give answer to me, Even by reason of my haste that is in me.
3I have heard the reproof which puts me to shame; And the spirit of my understanding answers me.
4Do you not know this from old time, Since man was placed on earth,
5That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless but for a moment?
6Though his height mounts up to the heavens, And his head reaches to the clouds;
7Yet he shall perish forever like his own dung: Those who have seen him shall say, Where is he?
8He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: Indeed, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night.
9The eye which saw him shall see him no more; Neither shall his place behold him anymore.
10His children shall seek the favor of the poor, And his hands shall give back his wealth.
11His bones are full of his youth, But it shall lie down with him in the dust.
12Though wickedness is sweet in his mouth, Though he hides it under his tongue,
13Though he spares it, and will not let it go, But keeps it still within his mouth;
14Yet his food in his bowels is turned, It is the gall of asps within him.
15He has swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again; God will cast them out of his belly.
16He shall suck the poison of asps: The viper’s tongue shall slay him.
17He shall not look on the rivers, The flowing streams of honey and butter.
18That which he labored for he shall restore, and shall not swallow it down; According to the wealth that he has gotten, he shall not rejoice.
19For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor; He has violently taken away a house, and he shall not build it up.
20Because he knew no quietness within him, He shall not save anything of that in which he delights.
21There was nothing left that he did not devour; Therefore his prosperity shall not endure.
22In the fullness of his sufficiency he shall be in distress: The hand of everyone who is in misery shall come upon him.
23When he is about to fill his belly, God will cast the fierceness of his wrath on him, And will rain it on him while he is eating.
24He shall flee from the iron weapon, And the bow of bronze shall strike him through.
25He draws it out, and it comes out of his body; Indeed, the glittering point comes out of his gall: Terrors are upon him.
26All darkness is laid up for his treasures: A fire not blown by man shall devour him; It shall consume that which is left in his tent.
27The heavens shall reveal his iniquity, And the earth shall rise up against him.
28The increase of his house shall depart; His goods shall flow away in the day of his wrath.
29This is the portion of a wicked man from God, And the heritage appointed to him by God.