[1] Then Zophar the Naamathite answered,
[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 puts me to shame. The spirit of my understanding answers me.
[4] Don’t you know this from old time, since man was placed on earth,
[5] that the triumphing of the wicked is short, the joy of the godless but for a moment?
[6] Though his height mount up to the heavens, and his head reach to the clouds,
[7] yet he shall perish forever like his own dung. Those who have seen him shall say, ‘Where is he?’
[8] He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found. Yes, he shall be chased away like a vision of the night.
[9] The eye which saw him shall see him no more, neither shall his place any more see him.
[10] His children shall seek the favor of the poor. His hands shall give back his wealth.
[11] His bones are full of his youth, but youth shall lie down with him in the dust.
[12] “Though wickedness is 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 cobra venom within him.
[15] He has swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again. God will cast them out of his belly.
[16] He shall suck cobra venom. The viper’s tongue shall kill him.
[17] He shall not look at the rivers, the flowing streams of honey and butter.
[18] That for which he labored he shall restore, and shall not swallow it down. According to the substance that he has gotten, he shall not rejoice.
[19] For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor. He has violently taken away a house, and he shall not build it up.
[20] “Because he knew no quietness within him, he shall not save anything of that in which he delights.
[21] There was nothing left that he didn’t devour, therefore his prosperity shall not endure.
[22] In the fullness of his sufficiency, distress shall overtake him. The hand of everyone who is in misery shall come on him.
[23] When he is about to fill his belly, God will cast the fierceness of his wrath on him. It will rain on him while he is eating.
[24] He shall flee from the iron weapon. The bronze arrow shall strike him through.
[25] He draws it out, and it comes out of his body. Yes, the glittering point comes out of his liver. Terrors are on him.
[26] All darkness is laid up for his treasures. An unfanned fire shall devour him. It shall consume that which is left in his tent.
[27] The heavens shall reveal his iniquity. The earth shall rise up against him.
[28] The increase of his house shall depart. They shall rush away in the day of his wrath.
[29] This is the portion of a wicked man from God, the heritage appointed to him by God.”