1 A nd Zophar the Naamathite answered and said,

2 T herefore do my thoughts give me an answer, and for this is my haste within me.

3 I hear a reproof putting me to shame; and spirit answereth me by mine understanding.

4 K nowest thou this, that of old, since man was placed upon earth,

5 T he exultation of the wicked is short, and the joy of the ungodly man but for a moment?

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

7 L ike his own dung doth he perish for ever; they which have seen him shall say, Where is he?

8 H e flieth away as a dream, and is not found; and is chased away as a vision of the night.

9 T he eye which saw him shall not again; and his place beholdeth him no more.

10 H is children shall seek the favour of the poor, and his hands restore his wealth.

11 H is bones were full of his youthful strength; but it shall lie down with him in the dust.

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

13 h e spare it, and forsake it not, but keep it within his mouth,

14 H is food is turned in his bowels; it is the gall of asps within him.

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

16 H e shall suck the poison of asps; the viper's tongue shall kill him.

17 H e shall not see streams, rivers, brooks of honey and butter.

18 T hat which he laboured for shall he restore, and not swallow down; its restitution shall be according to the value, and he shall not rejoice.

19 F or he hath oppressed, hath forsaken the poor; he hath violently taken away a house that he did not build.

20 B ecause he knew no rest in his craving, he shall save nought of what he most desired.

21 N othing escaped his greediness; therefore his prosperity shall not endure.

22 I n the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits; every hand of the wretched shall come upon him.

23 I t shall be that, to fill his belly, he will cast his fierce anger upon him, and will rain it upon him into his flesh.

24 I f he have fled from the iron weapon, the bow of brass shall strike him through.

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

26 A ll darkness is laid up for his treasures: a fire not blown shall devour him; it shall feed upon what 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, flowing away in the day of his anger.

29 T his is the portion of the wicked man from God, and the heritage appointed to him by God.