1
ASV
Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
2
ASV
Therefore do my thoughts give answer to me, Even by reason of my haste that is in me.
3
ASV
I have heard the reproof which putteth me to shame; And the spirit of my understanding answereth me.
4
ASV
Knowest thou [not] this of old time, Since man was placed upon earth,
5
ASV
That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless but for a moment?
6
ASV
Though his height mount up to the heavens, And his head reach unto the clouds;
7
ASV
Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: They that have seen him shall say, Where is he?
8
ASV
He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: Yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night.
9
ASV
The eye which saw him shall see him no more; Neither shall his place any more behold him.
10
ASV
His children shall seek the favor of the poor, And his hands shall give back his wealth.
11
ASV
His bones are full of his youth, But it shall lie down with him in the dust.
12
ASV
Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, Though he hide it under his tongue,
13
ASV
Though he spare it, and will not let it go, But keep it still within his mouth;
14
ASV
Yet his food in his bowels is turned, It is the gall of asps within him.
15
ASV
He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again; God will cast them out of his belly.
16
ASV
He shall suck the poison of asps: The viper’s tongue shall slay him.
17
ASV
He shall not look upon the rivers, The flowing streams of honey and butter.
18
ASV
That which he labored for shall he restore, and shall not swallow it down; According to the substance that he hath gotten, he shall not rejoice.
19
ASV
For he hath oppressed and forsaken the poor; He hath violently taken away a house, and he shall not build it up.
20
ASV
Because he knew no quietness within him, He shall not save aught of that wherein he delighteth.
21
ASV
There was nothing left that he devoured not; Therefore his prosperity shall not endure.
22
ASV
In the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits: The hand of every one that is in misery shall come upon him.
23
ASV
When he is about to fill his belly, [God] will cast the fierceness of his wrath upon him, And will rain it upon him while he is eating.
24
ASV
He shall flee from the iron weapon, And the bow of brass shall strike him through.
25
ASV
He draweth it forth, and it cometh out of his body; Yea, the glittering point cometh out of his gall: Terrors are upon him.
26
ASV
All darkness is laid up for his treasures: A fire not blown [by man] shall devour him; It shall consume that which is left in his tent.
27
ASV
The heavens shall reveal his iniquity, And the earth shall rise up against him.
28
ASV
The increase of his house shall depart; [His goods] shall flow away in the day of his wrath.
29
ASV
This is the portion of a wicked man from God, And the heritage appointed unto him by God.
ASV: American Standard Version (1901). Public domain.