¹ And Zophar the Naamathite answered and said:

² So my thoughts cause me to answer, even because of my haste in me.

³ I have heard the instruction of my chastisement; and the spirit from my understanding makes me reply.

⁴ Do you know this from of old, from the setting of man on earth,

⁵ that the exulting of the wicked is near an end , and the joy of the ungodly is for a moment?

⁶ Though his height mounts up to the heavens, and his head touches to the clouds,

⁷ he shall perish forever like his dung; they who see him shall say, Where is he?

⁸ He flies off like a dream, and is not found; and is driven away like a night vision.

⁹ An eye glimpsed him, but will not again; yea, his place shall not again see him.

¹⁰ His sons seek the poor's favors; and his hands shall restore his wealth.

¹¹ His bones are full of his youthful vigor, but it lies down on the dust with him.

¹² Even if evil is sweet in his mouth (he hides it under his tongue),

¹³ he spares it, and will not leave it; yea, keeps holding it in his mouth);

¹⁴ yet his food in his belly shall be turned; the gall of asps is within him.

¹⁵ He swallows wealth, but vomits it; God drives it out from his belly.

¹⁶ He shall suck the poison of asps; the viper's tongue shall slay him.

¹⁷ He shall not see the rivers, the flowings of torrents of honey and curd;

¹⁸ giving back his gain, and he will not eat. As to the wealth of his trading, even he shall not enjoy it .

¹⁹ For he crushed and forsook the poor; he stole a house, but he had not built it.

²⁰ Surely he shall not know ease in his belly; he will not escape with his things of desire.

²¹ There is no residue for his eating; because of this, his good will not last.

²² In the fullness of his scorn, it is strait for him; the hand of every wretched one shall come upon him.

²³ It shall happen at the filling of his belly, He shall cast on him the fury of His wrath, and He shall rain on him while he is eating.

²⁴ He may flee from the iron weapon, a bow of bronze shall pierce him.

²⁵ One draws it, and treads it from behind, even lightning from his gall; terror is upon him.

²⁶ All darkness is hidden for secret treasuring; fire not blown shall consume him; those left in his tent shall be broken.

²⁷ The heavens shall expose his iniquity; and the earth shall be raising itself up against him.

²⁸ The increase of his house shall depart, flowing away in the day of His wrath.

²⁹ This is the evil man's portion from God, and the inheritance of his word from God.