1Then answered Zophar the Naamathite , and said , 2Therefore do my thoughts give answer to me , Even by reason of my haste that is in me . 3I have heard the reproof which putteth me to shame ; And the spirit of my understanding answereth me . 4Knowest thou not this of old time , Since man was placed upon earth, 5That the triumphing of the wicked is short , And the joy of the godless but for a moment ? 6Though his height mount up to the heavens , And his head reach unto the clouds ; 7Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung : They that have seen him shall say, Where is he ? 8He shall fly away as a dream , and shall not be found : Yea, 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 any more behold him . 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 .
The Fate of the Wicked
12Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth , Though he hide it under his tongue , 13Though he spare it , and will not let it go , But keep it still within his mouth ; 14Yet his food in his bowels is turned , It is the gall of asps within him . 15He hath 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 upon the rivers , The flowing streams of honey and butter . 18That which he labored for shall he restore , and shall not swallow it down ; According to the substance that he hath gotten, he shall not rejoice . 19For he hath oppressed and forsaken the poor ; He hath violently taken away a house , and he shall not build it up .
The Certainty of Divine Justice
20Because he knew no quietness within him , He shall not save aught of that wherein he delighteth. 21There was nothing left that he devoured not ; Therefore his prosperity shall not endure . 22In the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits : The hand of every one that is in misery shall come upon him . 23When he is about to fill his belly, God will cast the fierceness of his wrath upon him , And will rain it upon him while he is eating . 24He shall flee from the iron weapon , And the bow of brass shall strike him through . 25He draweth it forth , and it cometh out of his body ; Yea, the glittering point cometh 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 unto him by God.