[1] Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said:
[2] “Therefore my anxious thoughts make me answer, Because of the turmoil within me.
[3] I have heard the rebuke that reproaches me, And the spirit of my understanding causes me to answer.
[4] “Do you not know this of old, Since man was placed on earth,
[5] That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment?
[6] Though his haughtiness mounts up to the heavens, And his head reaches to the clouds,
[7] Yet he will perish forever like his own refuse; Those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’
[8] He will fly away like a dream, and not be found; Yes, he will be chased away like a vision of the night.
[9] The eye that saw him will see him no more, Nor will his place behold him anymore.
[10] His children will seek the favor of the poor, And his hands will restore his wealth.
[11] His bones are full of his youthful vigor, But it will lie down with him in the dust.
[12] “Though evil is sweet in his mouth, And he hides it under his tongue,
[13] Though he spares it and does not forsake it, But still keeps it in his mouth,
[14] Yet his food in his stomach turns sour; It becomes cobra venom within him.
[15] He swallows down riches And vomits them up again; God casts them out of his belly.
[16] He will suck the poison of cobras; The viper’s tongue will slay him.
[17] He will not see the streams, The rivers flowing with honey and cream.
[18] He will restore that for which he labored, And will not swallow it down; From the proceeds of business He will get no enjoyment.
[19] For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor, He has violently seized a house which he did not build.
[20] “Because he knows no quietness in his heart, He will not save anything he desires.
[21] Nothing is left for him to eat; Therefore his well-being will not last.
[22] In his self-sufficiency he will be in distress; Every hand of misery will come against him.
[23] When he is about to fill his stomach, God will cast on him the fury of His wrath, And will rain it on him while he is eating.
[24] He will flee from the iron weapon; A bronze bow will pierce him through.
[25] It is drawn, and comes out of the body; Yes, the glittering point comes out of his gall. Terrors come upon him;
[26] Total darkness is reserved for his treasures. An unfanned fire will consume him; It shall go ill with him who is left in his tent.
[27] The heavens will reveal his iniquity, And the earth will rise up against him.
[28] The increase of his house will depart, And his goods will flow away in the day of His wrath.
[29] This is the portion from God for a wicked man, The heritage appointed to him by God.”