1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said:
2 Therefore my uncertain thoughts make me answer, because of the anxiety within me.
3 I have heard the admonition against my reproaches, but the spirit of my understanding causes me to answer.
4 Do you not know this from of old, ever since man was placed upon earth,
5 that the rejoicing of the wicked is near its end, and the mirth of the hypocrite is but for a moment?
6 Though his haughtiness mounts up to the heavens, and his head reaches to the clouds,
7 yet he shall perish forever like his own dung; those who see him shall say, where is he?
8 He shall fly away like a dream, and not be found; yea, he shall be chased away like a vision of the night.
9 The eye that has seen him shall see him no more, nor will his place regard him anymore.
10 His children shall seek the favor of the poor, and his hands shall return his wealth.
11 His bones are full of his youthful vigor, but it shall lie down with him in the dust.
12 Though evil is sweet in his mouth, and he hides it under his tongue,
13 though he spares it and does not forsake it, but still keeps it in his mouth,
14 yet his food in his stomach has churned up; it is serpents venom within him.
15 He swallows down riches and vomits them up again; the Mighty God casts them out of his belly.
16 He shall suck the poison of serpents; the vipers tongue shall slay him.
17 He shall not see the streams, the rivers of honey and curds.
18 He shall give back that for which he labored, and shall not swallow it down; He shall have no enjoyment from the exchanges of his wealth.
19 For he has crushed and forsaken the poor, he has seized a house which he did not build.
20 Surely he has known no ease in his belly; he shall not save anything he desires.
21 No food is left for him; there is no travail after his well-being.
22 In the fullness of his scorn he shall be in distress; every hand of trouble shall come against him.
23 When he is about to fill his stomach, God will cast upon him the fury of His wrath, and shall rain it upon him while he is eating.
24 If he flees from the iron weapon, a bronze bow shall pierce him through.
25 It has been drawn, and comes out the back; yea, the glittering point comes out of his gall. Terrors come upon him;
26 total darkness is his hidden treasure. An unfanned fire shall devour him; and any survivors in his tent shall tremble.
27 The heavens shall lay bare his iniquity, and the earth shall rise up against him.
28 The fruit of his house shall be removed, being poured out in the day of His wrath.
29 This is the portion from God for a wicked man, the heritage promised to him by the Mighty God.