【Job】Chapter 20 << Last Chapter Next Chapter >>

20:1 Then Zophar the Naamathite spoke and said:

20:3 A rebuke which puts me to shame I hear,

20:2 and because of this I am disturbed. So now my thoughts provide me with an answer, and from my understanding a spirit gives me a reply.

20:4 Do you not know this from olden time, since man was placed upon the earth,

20:5 That the triumph of the wicked is short and the joy of the impious but for a moment?

20:6 Though his pride mount up to the heavens and his head reach to the clouds,

20:7 Yet he perishes forever like the fuel of his fire, and the onlookers say, "Where is he?"

20:8 Like a dream he takes flight and is not found again; he fades away like a vision of the night.

20:9 The eye which saw him does so no more; nor shall his dwelling again behold him.

20:10 and his hands shall yield up his riches.

20:11 Though his frame is full of youthful vigor, this shall lie with him in the dust.

20:12 Though wickedness is sweet in his mouth, and he hides it under his tongue,

20:13 Though he retains it and will not let it go but keeps it still within his mouth,

20:14 Yet in his stomach the food shall turn; it shall be venom of asps inside him.

20:15 The riches he swallowed he shall disgorge; God shall compel his belly to disown them.

20:16 The poison of asps he shall drink in; the viper’s fangs shall slay him.

20:17 He shall see no streams of oil, no torrents of honey or milk.

20:18 Restoring his gains, he shall not enjoy them; though his wealth increases, he shall not rejoice.

20:19 Because he has oppressed the poor, and stolen a patrimony he had not built up,

20:20 Though he has known no quiet in his greed, his treasures shall not save him.

20:21 Therefore his prosperity shall not endure,

20:22 When he abounds to overflowing, he shall be brought into straits, and nought shall be left of his goods.

20:23 God shall send against him the fury of his wrath and rain down his missiles of war upon him.

20:24 Should he escape the iron weapon, the bow of bronze shall pierce him through;

20:25 The dart shall come out of his back; terrors shall fall upon him.

20:26 Complete darkness is in store for him; the fire which shall consume him needs not to be fanned.

20:27 The heavens shall reveal his guilt, and the earth shall rise up against him.

20:28 The flood shall sweep away his house with the waters that run off in the day of God’s anger.

20:29 This is the portion of a wicked man, and the heritage appointed him by God.

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