20:1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered,

20:2 Therefore do my thoughts give answer to me, Even by reason of my haste that is in me.

20:3 I have heard the reproof which puts me to shame; The spirit of my understanding answers me.

20:4 Don`t you know this from old time, Since man was placed on earth,

20:5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short, The joy of the godless but for a moment?

20:6 Though his height mount up to the heavens, And his head reach to the clouds,

20:7 Yet he shall perish forever like his own dung, Those who have seen him shall say, `Where is he?`

20:8 He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: Yes, he shall be chased away like a vision of the night.

20:9 The eye which saw him shall see him no more, Neither shall his place any more see him.

20:10 His children shall seek the favor of the poor. His hands shall give back his wealth.

20:11 His bones are full of his youth, But youth shall lie down with him in the dust.

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

20:13 Though he spare it, and will not let it go, But keep it still within his mouth;

20:14 Yet his food in his bowels is turned. It is cobra venom within him.

20:15 He has swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again. God will cast them out of his belly.

20:16 He shall suck cobra venom. The viper`s tongue shall kill him.

20:17 He shall not look at the rivers, The flowing streams of honey and butter.

20:18 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.

20:19 For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor. He has violently taken away a house, and he shall not build it up.

20:20 Because he knew no quietness within him, He shall not save anything of that in which he delights.

20:21 There was nothing left that he didn`t devour, Therefore his prosperity shall not endure.

20:22 In the fullness of his sufficiency, distress shall overtake him: The hand of everyone who is in misery shall come on him.

20:23 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.

20:24 He shall flee from the iron weapon. The bronze arrow shall strike him through.

20:25 He draws it forth, and it comes out of his body. Yes, the glittering point comes out of his liver. Terrors are on him.

20:26 All darkness is laid up for his treasures. An unfanned fire shall devour him. It shall consume that which is left in his tent.

20:27 The heavens shall reveal his iniquity, The earth shall rise up against him.

20:28 The increase of his house shall depart; They shall rush away in the day of his wrath.