Job 20

Zophar Speaks: The Wicked Will Suffer [1] Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said: [2] “Therefore my thoughts answer me, because of my haste within me. [3] I hear censure that insults me, and out of my understanding a spirit answers me. [4] Do you not know this from of old, since man was placed on earth, [5] that the exulting of the wicked is short, and 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] he will perish forever like his own dung; those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’ [8] He will fly away like a dream and not be found; he will be chased away like a vision of the night. [9] The eye that saw him will see him no more, nor will his place any more behold him. [10] His children will seek the favor of the poor, and his hands will give back his wealth. [11] His bones are full of his youthful vigor, but it will lie down with him in the dust. [12] “Though evil is sweet in his mouth, though he hides it under his tongue, [13] though he is loath to let it go and holds it in his mouth, [14] yet his food is turned in his stomach; it is the venom of cobras within him. [15] He swallows down riches and vomits them up again; God casts them out of his belly. [16] He will suck the poison of cobras; the tongue of a viper will kill him. [17] He will not look upon the rivers, the streams flowing with honey and curds. [18] He will give back the fruit of his toil and will not swallow it down; from the profit of his trading he will get no enjoyment. [19] For he has crushed and abandoned the poor; he has seized a house that he did not build. [20] “Because he knew no contentment in his belly, he will not let anything in which he delights escape him. [21] There was nothing left after he had eaten; therefore his prosperity will not endure. [22] In the fullness of his sufficiency he will be in distress; the hand of everyone in misery will come against him. [23] To fill his belly to the full, God will send his burning anger against him and rain it upon him into his body. [24] He will flee from an iron weapon; a bronze arrow will strike him through. [25] It is drawn forth and comes out of his body; the glittering point comes out of his gallbladder; terrors come upon him. [26] Utter darkness is laid up for his treasures; a fire not fanned will devour him; what is left in his tent will be consumed. [27] The heavens will reveal his iniquity, and the earth will rise up against him. [28] The possessions of his house will be carried away, dragged off in the day of God’s wrath. [29] This is the wicked man’s portion from God, the heritage decreed for him by God.” (ESV)