1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered,
2 "Therefore my thoughts answer 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 will perish forever like his own dung.
Those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’
8 He will fly away as a dream, and will not be found.
Yes, he will be chased away like a vision of the night.
9 The eye which saw him will see him no more,
neither will his place see him any more.
10 His children will seek the favor of the poor.
His hands will give back his wealth.
11 His bones are full of his youth,
but youth will 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 will vomit them up again.
God will cast them out of his belly.
16 He will suck cobra venom.
The viper’s tongue will kill him.
17 He will not look at the rivers,
the flowing streams of honey and butter.
18 He will restore that for which he labored, and will not swallow it down.
He will not rejoice according to the substance that he has gotten.
19 For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor.
He has violently taken away a house, and he will not build it up.
20 "Because he knew no quietness within him,
he will not save anything of that in which he delights.
21 There was nothing left that he didn’t devour,
therefore his prosperity will not endure.
22 In the fullness of his sufficiency, distress will overtake him.
The hand of everyone who is in misery will 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 will flee from the iron weapon.
The bronze arrow will 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 will devour him.
It will consume that which is left in his tent.
27 The heavens will reveal his iniquity.
The earth will rise up against him.
28 The increase of his house will depart.
They will 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."
1 Y RESPONDIO Sophar Naamathita, y dijo:
2 Por cierto mis pensamientos me hacen responder, Y por tanto me apresuro.
3 La reprensión de mi censura he oído, Y háceme responder el espíritu de mi inteligencia.
4 ¿No sabes esto que fué siempre, Desde el tiempo que fué puesto el hombre sobre la tierra,
5 Que la alegría de los impíos es breve, Y el gozo del hipócrita por un momento?
6 Si subiere su altivez hasta el cielo, Y su cabeza tocare en las nubes,
7 Con su estiércol perecerá para siempre: Los que le hubieren visto, dirán: ¿Qué es de él?
8 Como sueño volará, y no será hallado: Y disiparáse como visión nocturna.
9 El ojo que le habrá visto, nunca más le verá; Ni su lugar le echará más de ver.
10 Sus hijos pobres andarán rogando; Y sus manos tornarán lo que él robó.
11 Sus huesos están llenos de sus mocedades, Y con él serán sepultados en el polvo.
12 Si el mal se endulzó en su boca, Si lo ocultaba debajo de su lengua;
13 Si le parecía bien, y no lo dejaba, Mas antes lo detenía entre su paladar;
14 Su comida se mudará en sus entrañas, Hiel de áspides será dentro de él.
15 Devoró riquezas, mas vomitarálas; De su vientre las sacará Dios.
16 Veneno de áspides chupará; Matarálo lengua de víbora.
17 No verá los arroyos, los ríos, Los torrentes de miel y de manteca.
18 Restituirá el trabajo conforme á la hacienda que tomó; Y no tragará, ni gozará.
19 Por cuanto quebrantó y desamparó á los pobres, Robó casas, y no las edificó;
20 Por tanto, no sentirá él sosiego en su vientre, Ni salvará nada de lo que codiciaba.
21 No quedó nada que no comiese: Por tanto su bien no será durable.
22 Cuando fuere lleno su bastimento, tendrá angustia: Las manos todas de los malvados vendrán sobre él.
23 Cuando se pusiere á henchir su vientre, Dios enviará sobre él el furor de su ira, Y harála llover sobre él y sobre su comida.
24 Huirá de las armas de hierro, Y el arco de acero le atravesará.
25 Desenvainará y sacará saeta de su aljaba, Y relumbrante pasará por su hiel: Sobre él vendrán terrores.
26 Todas tinieblas están guardadas para sus secretos: Fuego no soplado lo devorará; Su sucesor será quebrantado en su tienda.
27 Los cielos descubrirán su iniquidad, Y la tierra se levantará contra él.
28 Los renuevos de su casa serán trasportados; Serán derramados en el día de su furor.
29 Esta es la parte que Dios apareja al hombre impío, Y la heredad que Dios le señala por su palabra.