1Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said: 2Therefore my uncertain thoughts make me answer, because of the anxiety within me. 3I have heard the admonition against my reproaches, but the spirit of my understanding causes me to answer. 4Do you not know this from of old, ever since man was placed upon earth, 5that the rejoicing of the wicked is near its end, and the mirth of the hypocrite is but for a moment? 6Though his haughtiness mounts up to the heavens, and his head reaches to the clouds, 7yet he shall perish forever like his own dung; those who see him shall say, where is he? 8He shall fly away like a dream, and not be found; yea, he shall be chased away like a vision of the night. 9The eye that has seen him shall see him no more, nor will his place regard him anymore. 10His children shall seek the favor of the poor, and his hands shall return his wealth. 11His bones are full of his youthful vigor, but it shall lie down with him in the dust. 12Though evil is sweet in his mouth, and he hides it under his tongue, 13though he spares it and does not forsake it, but still keeps it in his mouth, 14yet his food in his stomach has churned up; it is serpent’s venom within him. 15He swallows down riches and vomits them up again; the Mighty God casts them out of his belly. 16He shall suck the poison of serpents; the viper’s tongue shall slay him. 17He shall not see the streams, the rivers of honey and curds. 18He shall give back that for which he labored, and shall not swallow it down; He shall have no enjoyment from the exchanges of his wealth. 19For he has crushed and forsaken the poor, he has seized a house which he did not build. 20Surely he has known no ease in his belly; he shall not save anything he desires. 21No food is left for him; there is no travail after his well-being. 22In the fullness of his scorn he shall be in distress; every hand of trouble shall come against him. 23When he is about to fill his stomach, God will cast upon him the fury of His wrath, and shall rain it upon him while he is eating. 24If he flees from the iron weapon, a bronze bow shall pierce him through. 25It has been drawn, and comes out the back; yea, the glittering point comes out of his gall. Terrors come upon him; 26total darkness is his hidden treasure. An unfanned fire shall devour him; and any survivors in his tent shall tremble. 27The heavens shall lay bare his iniquity, and the earth shall rise up against him. 28The fruit of his house shall be removed, being poured out in the day of His wrath. 29This is the portion from God for a wicked man, the heritage promised to him by the Mighty God.