Zophar Says, “The Triumph of the Wicked Is Short”
20 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said,
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“Therefore my disquieting thoughts make me answer,
Because of the uneasiness that is within me.
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“I have heard the reproof which insults me,
But the spirit of my understanding makes me answer.
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“Do you not know this from the old days,
Since the time that man was placed on the earth,
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That the triumphing of the wicked is short,
And the joy of the godless is only for a moment?(A)
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“Though his pride reaches the heavens
And his head touches the clouds,
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Yet he perishes forever like his own refuse;
Those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’
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“He flies away like a dream and cannot be found;
Yes, he is chased away like a vision of the night.
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“The eye which saw him sees him no longer,
Neither does his [accustomed] place behold him any longer.
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“His sons favor the poor [and pay his obligations],
And his hands give back his [ill-gotten] wealth.
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“His bones are full of youthful strength
But it lies down with him in the dust.
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“Though evil and wickedness are sweet in his mouth
And he hides it under his tongue,
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Though he desires it and will not let it go
But holds it in his mouth,
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Yet his food turns [to poison] in his stomach;
It is the venom of vipers within him.
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“He swallows [his ill-gotten] riches,
But will vomit them up;
God will drive them out of his belly.
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“He sucks the poison of vipers [which ill-gotten wealth contains];
The viper’s tongue slays him.
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“He does not look at the rivers,
The flowing streams of honey and butter [to enjoy his wealth].
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“He gives back what he has labored for and attained
And cannot swallow it [down to enjoy it];
As to the riches of his labor,
He cannot even enjoy them.
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“For he has oppressed and neglected the poor;
He has violently taken away houses which he did not build.
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“Because he knew no quietness or calm within him [because of his greed],
He does not retain anything he desires.
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“There is nothing left of what he devoured;
Therefore his prosperity does not endure.
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“In the fullness of his excess (great abundance) he will be in trouble;
The hand of everyone who suffers will come against him [he is miserable on every side].
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“When he fills his belly,
God will send His fierce anger on him
And will rain it upon him while he is eating.(B)
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“He may flee from the iron weapon,
But the bow of bronze will pierce him through.
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“The arrow is drawn forth and it comes out of his back [after passing through his body];
Yes, the glittering point comes out of his gall.
Terrors march in upon him;
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Complete darkness (misfortune) is held in reserve for his treasures.
An unfanned fire will devour him;
It will consume the survivor in his tent.
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“The heavens will reveal his wickedness and guilt,
And the earth will rise up against him.
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“The produce and increase of his house will depart [with the victors];
His possessions will be dragged away in the day of God’s wrath.
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“This is the wicked man’s portion from God,
And the heritage decreed and appointed to him by God.”