[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 excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds;
[7] Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which 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 favour 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 meat 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 shall 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 laboured 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 an 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 shall cast the fierceness of his wrath upon him, and shall 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.