JobChapter 20
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1Then Zophar the Naamathite answered: 2"My troubled thoughts make me answer you,
because I am stirred up inside. 3I have heard you scold me, and it insults me.
My understanding pushes me to reply. 4Don't you know how it has been from long ago?
Ever since man was put on the earth, 5the wicked man's success has been short.
The joy of the godless lasts only a moment. 6His pride may reach up to the heavens.
His head may touch the clouds. 7But he will perish forever, like his own dung.
Those who saw him will ask, 'Where is he?' 8He will fly away like a dream and never be found.
He will be chased away like a vision in the night. 9The eye that saw him won't see him again.
His home won't see him anymore. 10His sons will have to beg the poor for help,
because his own hands must give back his wealth. 11His bones are full of young strength.
But it will lie down with him in the dust. 12Evil may taste sweet in his mouth.
He may hide it under his tongue. 13He may not be able to let it go.
He may keep it in his mouth. 14Yet his food turns sour in his stomach.
It becomes like cobra poison inside him. 15He swallows riches, but he throws them up again.
God will force them out of his stomach. 16He will suck the poison of cobras.
The fangs of a snake will kill him. 17He won't enjoy the streams,
the rivers flowing with honey and cream. 18He must give back what he worked for without eating it.
He can't enjoy the money he made from trading. 19This is because he crushed the poor and left them with nothing.
He took houses he didn't build. 20His hunger for more is never satisfied.
So he can't escape with his treasure. 21Nothing is left for him to eat up.
So his good times won't last. 22While he has plenty, he will be in trouble.
The full force of misery will come on him. 23When he has filled his stomach,
God will pour out his burning anger on him.
He will rain it down on him while he eats. 24He may run from an iron weapon.
But an arrow with a bronze tip will stab him. 25It is pulled out of his back.
The shining point comes out of his liver.
Terrors come over him. 26Total darkness is waiting for his treasures.
A fire no one fans will burn him up.
It will eat up what is left in his tent. 27The heavens will show his sin.
The earth will rise up against him. 28The things in his house will be carried off.
They will flow away on the day of God's anger. 29This is what God gives the wicked man.
It is the share God has set for him."