20
Zophar Says, “The Triumph of the Wicked Is Short”
1 Then Zophar the Naamathite 1Lit answered and saidanswered,
2 “Therefore my disquieting thoughts make me 1Lit returnrespond,
Even because of my 2Lit haste within meinward agitation.
3 “I listened to AJob 19:3the reproof which insults me,
And the spirit of my understanding makes me answer.
4 “Do you know this from AJob 8:8of old,
From the establishment of man on earth,
5 That the AJob 8:12, 13; Ps 37:35, 36triumphing of the wicked is short,
And BJob 8:13the joy of the godless momentary?
And his head touches the clouds,
7 He AJob 4:20; 14:20perishes forever like his refuse;
Those who have seen him BJob 7:10; 8:18will say, ‘Where is he?’
8 “He flies away like a APs 73:20; 90:5dream, and they cannot find him;
Even like a vision of the night he is BJob 18:18; 27:21-23chased away.
9 “The AJob 7:8; 8:18eye which saw him sees him no longer,
And BJob 7:10his place no longer beholds him.
And his hands BJob 20:18; 27:16, 17give back his wealth.
11 “His AJob 21:23, 24bones are full of his youthful vigor,
But it lies down with him 1Lit onin the dust.
12 “Though AJob 15:16evil is sweet in his mouth
And he hides it under his tongue,
But holds it ANum 11:18-20, 33; Job 20:23in his 2Lit palatemouth,
14 Yet his food in his stomach is changed
To the 1Lit gallvenom of cobras within him.
15 “He swallows riches,
But will AJob 20:10, 20, 21vomit them up;
God will expel them from his belly.
16 “He sucks ADeut 32:24, 33the poison of cobras;
The viper’s tongue slays him.
17 “He does not look at ADeut 32:13, 14; Job 29:6the streams,
The rivers flowing with honey and curds.
18 “He AJob 20:10, 15returns what he has attained
And cannot swallow it;
As to the riches of his trading,
He cannot even enjoy them.
He has seized a house which he has not built.
20 “Because he knew no quiet 1Lit in his bellywithin him,
He does AEccl 5:13-15not retain anything he desires.
21 “Nothing remains 1Or of what he devoursfor him to devour,
Therefore AJob 15:29his prosperity does not endure.
22 “In the fullness of his plenty he will be cramped;
The AJob 5:5hand of everyone who suffers will come against him.
23 “When he AJob 20:13, 14fills his belly,
God will send His fierce anger on him
24 “He may AIs 24:18; Amos 5:19flee 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 AJob 16:13his gall.
BJob 18:11, 14Terrors come upon him,
26 Complete AJob 18:18darkness is held in reserve for his treasures,
And unfanned BJob 15:30; Ps 21:9fire will devour him;
It will consume the survivor in his tent.
27 “The ADeut 31:28; Is 26:21heavens will reveal his iniquity,
And the earth will rise up against him.
28 “The ADeut 28:31increase of his house will depart;
His possessions will flow away BJob 20:15; 21:30in the day of His anger.
29 “This is the wicked man’s AJob 27:13; 31:2, 3portion from God,
Even the heritage decreed to him by God.”
120:1 Lit answered and said
120:2 Lit return
220:2 Lit haste within me
A20:5 Job 8:12, 13; Ps 37:35, 36
120:6 Lit goes up to
120:10 Or seek the favor of
A20:11 Job 21:23, 24
120:11 Lit on
120:13 Lit has compassion on
A20:13 Num 11:18-20, 33; Job 20:23
220:13 Lit palate
120:14 Lit gall
A20:15 Job 20:10, 20, 21
A20:16 Deut 32:24, 33
A20:17 Deut 32:13, 14; Job 29:6
A20:18 Job 20:10, 15
120:20 Lit in his belly
120:21 Or of what he devours
A20:23 Job 20:13, 14
B20:23 Num 11:18-20, 33; Ps 78:30, 31
120:23 Or as his food
B20:25 Job 18:11, 14