1Then Zophar, the Naamathite, answered, 2“My troubled thoughts prompt me to answer, for I am greatly disturbed. 3I have heard the rebuke that insults me, and the spirit of my understanding prompts me to answer.

4“Do you not know this of old, ever since man was placed upon earth: 5That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment? 6Though his excellency mounts up to the heavens, and his head touches the clouds; 7Yet he shall perish forever like his own refuse; they who have seen him shall say, ‘Where is he?’ 8He shall fly away like a dream, and shall not be found; yes, he shall be chased away like a night vision. 9Those who once saw him shall see him no more; nor shall his dwelling see him anymore. 10His children shall make amends to the poor, and work to restore their goods. 11His bones, full of the sin of his youth, shall lie in the dust with him. 12Though wickedness was sweet in his mouth, and hidden under his tongue, 13Though he savors and still keeps it within his mouth, 14Yet his food turns sour and bitter in his bowels; it is the gall of asps within him. 15He has swallowed ill-gotten riches, but he shall vomit them up again. God shall cast them out of his belly. 16He shall suck the poison of asps; the viper's tongue shall slay him. 17He shall not enjoy the rivers, streams, the brooks of honey and butter. 18What he labored for he shall lose, and shall not enjoy; restitution shall be in accordance with his possessions, and he shall not rejoice in it. 19Because he has oppressed and has forsaken the poor, because he has violently seized a house he did not build, 20Surely, he shall not feel quietness or calmness, he shall not keep what he desired. 21None of what he devoured shall be left; therefore, no man shall see his goods. 22In the fullness of his excesses he shall have trouble; every kind of misery shall assail him. 23When he is about to fill his belly, God shall cast the fury of His wrath upon him; it shall rain upon him while he is eating. 24If he shall flee from the iron weapon, an arrow from a bronze bow shall pierce him. 25He pulls it out of his back, its gleaming point out of his liver. Terror will overcome him. 26Total darkness shall envelop all his treasures; an unfanned fire shall consume him; and all that remains in his tent. 27The heaven shall reveal his iniquity; and the earth shall rise up against him. 28The goods of his house shall depart; they shall flow away in the day of God’s wrath. 29This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the heritage appointed to him by God.”