And Zophar the Naamathite answered and said:
2So my thoughts cause me to answer, even because of my haste in me.
3I have heard the instruction of my chastisement; and the spirit from my understanding makes me reply.
4Do you know this from of old, from the setting of man on earth,
5that the exulting of the wicked is near an end, and the joy of the ungodly is for a moment?
6Though his height mounts up to the heavens, and his head touches to the clouds,
7he shall perish forever like his dung; they who see him shall say, Where is he?
8He flies off like a dream, and is not found; and is driven away like a night vision.
9An eye glimpsed him, but will not again; yea, his place shall not again see him.
10His sons seek the poor's favors; and his hands shall restore his wealth.
11His bones are full of his youthful vigor, but it lies down on the dust with him.
12Even if evil is sweet in his mouth (he hides it under his tongue,
13he spares it, and he will not leave it; yea, he keeps holding it in his mouth);
14yet his food in his belly shall be turned; the gall of asps is within him.
15He swallows wealth, but vomits it; God drives it out from his belly.
16He shall suck the poison of asps; the viper's tongue shall slay him.
17He shall not see the rivers, the flowings of torrents of honey and curd;
18giving back his gain, and he will now swallow. In the wealth of his trading he will not enjoy it.
19For he crushed and forsook the poor; he stole a house, but he had not built it.
20Surely he shall not know ease in his belly; he will not escape with his things of desire.
21There is no residue for his eating; because of this, his good will not last.
22In the fullness of his scorn, it is strait for him; the hand of every wretched one shall come upon him.
23It shall happen at the filling of his belly, He shall cast on him the fury of His wrath, and He shall rain on him while he is eating.
24He may flee from the iron weapon, a bow of bronze shall pierce him.
25One draws it, and treads it from behind, even lightning from his gall; terrors come upon him.
26All darkness is hidden for secret treasuring; fire not blown shall consume him; those left in his tent shall be broken.
27The heavens shall expose his iniquity; and the earth shall be raising up itself against him.
28The fruit of his house shall move, flowing away in the day of His wrath.
29This is the evil man's portion from God, and the inheritance of his word from God.