1 T hen answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

2 T herefore do my thoughts give answer to me, Even by reason of my haste that is in me.

3 I have heard the reproof which putteth me to shame; And the spirit of my understanding answereth me.

4 K nowest thou not this of old time, Since man was placed upon earth,

5 T hat the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless but for a moment?

6 T hough his height mount up to the heavens, And his head reach unto the clouds;

7 Y et he shall perish for ever like his own dung: They that have seen him shall say, Where is he?

8 H e shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: Yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night.

9 T he eye which saw him shall see him no more; Neither shall his place any more behold him.

10 H is children shall seek the favor of the poor, And his hands shall give back his wealth.

11 H is bones are full of his youth, But it shall lie down with him in the dust.

12 T hough wickedness be sweet in his mouth, Though he hide it under his tongue,

13 T hough he spare it, and will not let it go, But keep it still within his mouth;

14 Y et his food in his bowels is turned, It is the gall of asps within him.

15 H e hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again; God will cast them out of his belly.

16 H e shall suck the poison of asps: The viper's tongue shall slay him.

17 H e shall not look upon the rivers, The flowing streams of honey and butter.

18 T hat 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.

19 F or he hath oppressed and forsaken the poor; He hath violently taken away a house, and he shall not build it up.

20 B ecause he knew no quietness within him, He shall not save aught of that wherein he delighteth.

21 T here was nothing left that he devoured not; Therefore his prosperity shall not endure.

22 I n the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits: The hand of every one that is in misery shall come upon him.

23 W hen 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.

24 H e shall flee from the iron weapon, And the bow of brass shall strike him through.

25 H e draweth it forth, and it cometh out of his body; Yea, the glittering point cometh out of his gall: Terrors are upon him.

26 A ll 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.

27 T he heavens shall reveal his iniquity, And the earth shall rise up against him.

28 T he increase of his house shall depart; His goods shall flow away in the day of his wrath.

29 T his is the portion of a wicked man from God, And the heritage appointed unto him by God.