New King James Version

English Standard Version

1Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said:

1Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said:

2“Therefore my anxious thoughts make me answer, Because of the turmoil within me.

2“Therefore my thoughts answer me, because of my haste within me.

3I have heard the rebuke that reproaches me, And the spirit of my understanding causes me to answer.

3I hear censure that insults me, and out of my understanding a spirit answers me.

4“Do you not know this of old, Since man was placed on earth,

4Do you not know this from of old, since man was placed on earth,

5That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment?

5that the exulting of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless but for a moment?

6Though his haughtiness mounts up to the heavens, And his head reaches to the clouds,

6Though his height mount up to the heavens, and his head reach to the clouds,

7Yet he will perish forever like his own refuse; Those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’

7he will perish forever like his own dung; those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’

8He will fly away like a dream, and not be found; Yes, he will be chased away like a vision of the night.

8He will fly away like a dream and not be found; he will be chased away like a vision of the night.

9The eye that saw him will see him no more, Nor will his place behold him anymore.

9The eye that saw him will see him no more, nor will his place any more behold him.

10His children will seek the favor of the poor, And his hands will restore his wealth.

10His children will seek the favor of the poor, and his hands will give back his wealth.

11His bones are full of his youthful vigor, But it will lie down with him in the dust.

11His bones are full of his youthful vigor, but it will lie down with him in the dust.

12“Though evil is sweet in his mouth, And he hides it under his tongue,

12“Though evil is sweet in his mouth, though he hides it under his tongue,

13Though he spares it and does not forsake it, But still keeps it in his mouth,

13though he is loath to let it go and holds it in his mouth,

14Yet his food in his stomach turns sour; It becomes cobra venom within him.

14yet his food is turned in his stomach; it is the venom of cobras within him.

15He swallows down riches And vomits them up again; God casts them out of his belly.

15He swallows down riches and vomits them up again; God casts them out of his belly.

16He will suck the poison of cobras; The viper’s tongue will slay him.

16He will suck the poison of cobras; the tongue of a viper will kill him.

17He will not see the streams, The rivers flowing with honey and cream.

17He will not look upon the rivers, the streams flowing with honey and curds.

18He will restore that for which he labored, And will not swallow it down; From the proceeds of business He will get no enjoyment.

18He will give back the fruit of his toil and will not swallow it down; from the profit of his trading he will get no enjoyment.

19For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor, He has violently seized a house which he did not build.

19For he has crushed and abandoned the poor; he has seized a house that he did not build.

20“Because he knows no quietness in his heart, He will not save anything he desires.

20“Because he knew no contentment in his belly, he will not let anything in which he delights escape him.

21Nothing is left for him to eat; Therefore his well-being will not last.

21There was nothing left after he had eaten; therefore his prosperity will not endure.

22In his self-sufficiency he will be in distress; Every hand of misery will come against him.

22In the fullness of his sufficiency he will be in distress; the hand of everyone in misery will come against him.

23When he is about to fill his stomach, God will cast on him the fury of His wrath, And will rain it on him while he is eating.

23To fill his belly to the full, God will send his burning anger against him and rain it upon him into his body.

24He will flee from the iron weapon; A bronze bow will pierce him through.

24He will flee from an iron weapon; a bronze arrow will strike him through.

25It is drawn, and comes out of the body; Yes, the glittering point comes out of his gall. Terrors come upon him;

25It is drawn forth and comes out of his body; the glittering point comes out of his gallbladder; terrors come upon him.

26Total darkness is reserved for his treasures. An unfanned fire will consume him; It shall go ill with him who is left in his tent.

26Utter darkness is laid up for his treasures; a fire not fanned will devour him; what is left in his tent will be consumed.

27The heavens will reveal his iniquity, And the earth will rise up against him.

27The heavens will reveal his iniquity, and the earth will rise up against him.

28The increase of his house will depart, And his goods will flow away in the day of His wrath.

28The possessions of his house will be carried away, dragged off in the day of God’s wrath.

29This is the portion from God for a wicked man, The heritage appointed to him by God.”

29This is the wicked man’s portion from God, the heritage decreed for him by God.”

The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.