1 THEN Zophar, the Naamathite, answered and said,

2 Therefore my discipline has caused me to discern, and for my help it has remained with me.

3 I will make you hear the instruction of my discipline, and the spirit of my understanding will cause me to answer.

4 This I know from of old, since man was created upon the earth,

5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless but for a moment.

6 Though his excellency mount up to the heavens and his head reach to the clouds,

7 Yet he shall perish for ever like a whirlwind; those who have seen him shall say, Where is he?

8 He shall fly away like a dream, and shall not be found; yea, he shall be chased away like a vision of the night.

9 The eye also which saw him shall see him no more; neither shall they see his place again.

10 His children shall be crushed with poverty, and he shall stretch out his hands toward them.

11 His bones are full of marrow, but they shall lie down with him in the dust.

12 Though his wickedness is sweet in his mouth, though he hide deceit under his tongue,

13 Though he spare it and forsake it not, but keep it still in his mouth;

14 Yet his food in his stomach is turned, it is the gall of asps within him.

15 The riches which he had swallowed down, he shall vomit up out of his belly; and God shall destroy him.

16 He shall suck the poison of asps; the tongue of an adder shall slay him.

17 He shall not see the rivers, the floods, the brooks of honey and butter.

18 That which he had labored for shall he restore, and shall not swallow it down; that which he had acquired by extortion he shall not enjoy;

19 Because he has thought to forsake the poor; because he has violently taken away a house which he did not build.

20 Because he knew no justice himself, he shall not be spared by his covetousness.

21 There shall none of his posterity be spared; therefore his good will not be remembered.

22 With the measure with which he had measured, he shall be recompensed; the hand of the wicked shall come upon him.

23 May his posterity go to destruction, may God cast the fury of his wrath upon him, and deluge him while he wars against him.

24 For although he had escaped because of the breastplate of iron, the bow of brass shall pierce him through.

25 It is drawn, and it brings forth his inward parts; and the skin of his gall shall be pierced; terror shall be upon him continually.

26 All darkness is kept in store for his posterity; a blazing fire shall consume him; and the one who is left in his tent shall be destroyed.

27 The heaven shall reveal his sins; and the earth avenge itself upon him.

28 The foundations of his house shall be left bare and he shall be scourged in the day of his wrath.

29 This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the heritage appointed to him from the Highest.