[1] Then Zophar the Naamathite answered,
[2] “Therefore my disquieting thoughts make me respond, Even because of my inward agitation.
[3] I listened to the reproof which insults me, And the spirit of my understanding makes me answer.
[4] Do you know this from of old, From the establishment of man on earth,
[5] That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless momentary?
[6] Though his loftiness reaches the heavens, And his head touches the clouds,
[7] He perishes forever like his refuse; Those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’
[8] He flies away like a dream, and they cannot find him; Even like a vision of the night he is chased away.
[9] The eye which saw him sees him no longer, And his place no longer beholds him.
[10] His sons favor the poor, And his hands give back his wealth.
[11] His bones are full of his youthful vigor, But it lies down with him in the dust.
[12] Though evil is sweet in his mouth And he hides it under his tongue,
[13] Though he desires it and will not let it go, But holds it in his mouth,
[14] Yet his food in his stomach is changed To the venom of cobras within him.
[15] He swallows riches, But will vomit them up; God will expel them from his belly.
[16] He sucks the poison of cobras; The viper's tongue slays him.
[17] He does not look at the streams, The rivers flowing with honey and curds.
[18] He returns what he has attained And cannot swallow it; As to the riches of his trading, He cannot even enjoy them.
[19] For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor; He has seized a house which he has not built.
[20] Because he knew no quiet within him, He does not retain anything he desires.
[21] Nothing remains for him to devour, Therefore his prosperity does not endure.
[22] In the fullness of his plenty he will be cramped; The hand of everyone who suffers will come against him.
[23] When he fills his belly, God will send His fierce anger on him And will rain it on him while he is eating.
[24] He may flee from the iron weapon, But the bronze bow will pierce him.
[25] It is drawn forth and comes out of his back, Even the glittering point from his gall. Terrors come upon him,
[26] Complete darkness is held in reserve for his treasures, And unfanned fire will devour him; It will consume the survivor 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; His possessions will flow away in the day of His anger.
[29] This is the wicked man's portion from God, Even the heritage decreed to him by God.”