201 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered , 2 "Therefore my disquieting thoughts make me respond , Even because of my inward agitation . 3 "I listened to the reproof which insults me, And the spirit of my understanding makes me answer . 4 "Do you know this from of old , From the establishment of man on earth , 5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short , And the joy of the godless momentary e ? 6 "Though his loftiness reaches the heavens , And his head touches the clouds , 7 He perishes forever like his refuse ; Those who have seen him will say , 'Where is he?' 8 "He flies away like a dream , and they cannot find him; Even like a vision of the night he is chased away . 9 "The eye which saw him sees him no longer, And his place no longer beholds him.
10 "His sons favor the poor , And his hands give back his wealth . 11 "His bones are full of his youthful vigor , But it lies down with him in the dust . 12 "Though evil is sweet in his mouth And he hides it under his tongue , 13 Though he desires it and will not let it go , But holds it in his mouth , 14 Yet his food in his stomach is changed To the venom of cobras within him. 15 "He swallows riches , But will vomit them up; God will expel them from his belly . 16 "He sucks the poison of cobras ; The viper's tongue slays him. 17 "He does not look at the streams , The rivers flowing with honey and curds . 18 "He returns what he has attained And cannot swallow it; As to the riches of his trading , He cannot even enjoy them. 19 "For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor ; He has seized a house which he has not built . 20 "Because he knew no quiet within him, He does not retain anything he desires . 21 "Nothing remains for him to devour , Therefore e his prosperity does not endure . 22 "In the fullness of his plenty he will be cramped ; The hand of everyone who suffers will come against him.
23 "When he fills his belly , God will send His fierce anger on him And will rain it on him while he is eating . 24 "He may flee from the iron weapon , But the bronze bow will pierce him. 25 "It is drawn forth and comes out of his back , Even the glittering point from his gall . Terrors come upon him, 26 Complete darkness is held in reserve for his treasures , And unfanned fire will devour him; It will consume the survivor in his tent . 27 "The heavens will reveal his iniquity , And the earth will rise up against him. 28 "The increase of his house will depart ; His possessions will flow away in the day of His anger . 29 "This is the wicked man's portion from God , Even the heritage decreed to him by God ."
