Job 20:1-29 GW

[1] Then Zophar from Naama replied to Job, [2] "My disturbing thoughts make me answer, and because of them I am upset. [3] I have heard criticism that makes me ashamed, but a spirit beyond my understanding gives me answers. [4] "Don't you know that from ancient times, from the time humans were placed on earth, [5] the triumph of the wicked is short-lived, and the joy of the godless person lasts only a moment? [6] If his height reaches to the sky and his head touches the clouds, [7] he will certainly rot like his own feces. Those who have seen him will say, 'Where is he?' [8] He will fly away like a dream and not be found. He will be chased away like a vision in the night. [9] Eyes that saw him will see him no more. His home will not look at him again. [10] His children will have to ask the poor for help. His own hands will have to give back his wealth. [11] His bones, once full of youthful vigor, will lie down with him in the dust. [12] "Though evil is sweet in his mouth and he hides it under his tongue. . . . [13] Though he savors it and won't let go of it and he holds it on the roof of his mouth, [14] the food in his belly turns sour. It becomes snake venom in his stomach. [15] He vomits up the riches that he swallowed. God forces them out of his stomach. [16] The godless person sucks the poison of snakes. A viper's fang kills him. [17] He won't be able to drink from the streams or from the rivers of honey and buttermilk. [18] He will give back what he earned without enjoying it. He will get no joy from the profits of his business [19] because he crushed and abandoned the poor. He has taken by force a house that he didn't build. [20] He will never know peace in his heart. He will never allow anything he desires to escape his grasp. [21] "Nothing is left for him to eat. His prosperity won't last. [22] Even with all his wealth the full force of misery comes down on him. [23] Let that misery fill his belly. God throws his burning anger at the godless person and makes his wrath come down on him like rain. [24] If that person flees from an iron weapon, a bronze bow will pierce him. [25] He pulls it out, and it comes out of his back. The glittering point comes out of his gallbladder. "Terrors come quickly to the godless person: [26] Total darkness waits in hiding for his treasure. A fire that no one fans will burn him. Whatever is left in his tent will be devoured. [27] Heaven exposes his sin. Earth rises up against him. [28] A flood will sweep away his house, a flash flood on the day of his anger. [29] This is the reward God gives to the wicked person, the inheritance God has appointed for him."