| Chapter 20 |
1 |
Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said, |
2 |
Therefore 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 |
Knowest thou not this of old time, Since man was placed upon earth, |
5 |
That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless but for a moment? |
6 |
Though his height mount up to the heavens, And his head reach unto the clouds; |
7 |
Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: They that have seen him shall say, Where is he? |
8 |
He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: Yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night. |
9 |
The eye which saw him shall see him no more; Neither shall his place any more behold him. |
10 |
His children shall seek the favor of the poor, And his hands shall give back his wealth. |
11 |
His bones are full of his youth, But it shall lie down with him in the dust. |
12 |
Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, Though he hide it under his tongue, |
13 |
Though he spare it, and will not let it go, But keep it still within his mouth; |
14 |
Yet his food in his bowels is turned, It is the gall of asps within him. |
15 |
He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again; God will cast them out of his belly. |
16 |
He shall suck the poison of asps: The viper`s tongue shall slay him. |
17 |
He shall not look upon the rivers, The flowing streams of honey and butter. |
18 |
That 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 |
For he hath oppressed and forsaken the poor; He hath violently taken away a house, and he shall not build it up. |
20 |
Because he knew no quietness within him, He shall not save aught of that wherein he delighteth. |
21 |
There was nothing left that he devoured not; Therefore his prosperity shall not endure. |
22 |
In the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits: The hand of every one that is in misery shall come upon him. |
23 |
When 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 |
He shall flee from the iron weapon, And the bow of brass shall strike him through. |
25 |
He draweth it forth, and it cometh out of his body; Yea, the glittering point cometh out of his gall: Terrors are upon him. |
26 |
All 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 |
The heavens shall reveal his iniquity, And the earth shall rise up against him. |
28 |
The increase of his house shall depart; His goods shall flow away in the day of his wrath. |
29 |
This is the portion of a wicked man from God, And the heritage appointed unto him by God. |