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20:1  Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said,
20:2  “Therefore my disquieting thoughts make me answer, Because of the uneasiness that is within me.
20:3  “I have heard the reproof which insults me, But the spirit of my understanding makes me answer.
20:4  “Do you not know this from the old days, Since the time that man was placed on the earth,
20:5  That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless is only for a moment?
20:6  “Though his pride reaches the heavens And his head touches the clouds,
20:7  Yet he perishes forever like his own refuse; Those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’
20:8  “He flies away like a dream and cannot be found; Yes, he is chased away like a vision of the night.
20:9  “The eye which saw him sees him no longer, Neither does his [accustomed] place behold him any longer.
20:10  “His sons favor the poor [and pay his obligations], And his hands give back his [ill-gotten] wealth.
20:11  “His bones are full of youthful strength But it lies down with him in the dust.
20:12  “Though evil and wickedness are sweet in his mouth And he hides it under his tongue,
20:13  Though he desires it and will not let it go But holds it in his mouth,
20:14  Yet his food turns [to poison] in his stomach; It is the venom of vipers within him.
20:15  “He swallows [his ill-gotten] riches, But will vomit them up; God will drive them out of his belly.
20:16  “He sucks the poison of vipers [which ill-gotten wealth contains]; The viper’s tongue slays him.
20:17  “He does not look at the rivers, The flowing streams of honey and butter [to enjoy his wealth].
20:18  “He gives back what he has labored for and attained And cannot swallow it [down to enjoy it]; As to the riches of his labor, He cannot even enjoy them.
20:19  “For he has oppressed and neglected the poor; He has violently taken away houses which he did not build.
20:20  “Because he knew no quietness or calm within him [because of his greed], He does not retain anything he desires.
20:21  “There is nothing left of what he devoured; Therefore his prosperity does not endure.
20:22  “In the fullness of his excess (great abundance) he will be in trouble; The hand of everyone who suffers will come against him [he is miserable on every side].
20:23  “When he fills his belly, God will send His fierce anger on him And will rain it upon him while he is eating.
20:24  “He may flee from the iron weapon, But the bow of bronze will pierce him through.
20:25  “The arrow is drawn forth and it comes out of his back [after passing through his body]; Yes, the glittering point comes out of his gall. Terrors march in upon him;
20:26  Complete darkness (misfortune) is held in reserve for his treasures. An unfanned fire will devour him; It will consume the survivor in his tent.
20:27  “The heavens will reveal his wickedness and guilt, And the earth will rise up against him.
20:28  “The produce and increase of his house will depart [with the victors]; His possessions will be dragged away in the day of God’s wrath.
20:29  “This is the wicked man’s portion from God, And the heritage decreed and appointed to him by God.”