Job 20
1 Then Sophar the Minaean answered and said,
Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said,
2 I did not suppose that you would answer thus: neither do you understand more than I.
“I'm forced to reply because I'm really upset!
3 I will hear my shameful reproach; and the spirit of my understanding answers me.
What I hear you say insults me, but I know how to reply to you!
4 Hast you [not] known these things of old, from the time that man was set upon the earth?
Don't you know that since ancient times, since human beings were put on this earth,
5 But the mirth of the ungodly is a signal downfall, and the joy of transgressors is destruction:
that the triumph of the wicked doesn't last long, that those who reject God are only happy for a short time?
6 although his gifts should go up to heaven, and his sacrifice reach the clouds.
Even though they are so tall they reach the heavens, even though their heads reach the clouds,
7 For when he shall seem to be now established, then he shall utterly perish: and they that knew him shall say, Where is he?
they will vanish forever like their own excrement. People who knew them will ask, ‘Where have they gone?’
8 Like a dream that has fled away, he shall not be found; and he has fled like a vision of the night.
They will vanish like a dream, never to be found, fleeing like a vision of the night.
9 The eye has looked upon him, but shall not [see him] again; and his place shall no longer perceive him.
Those who once saw them will not see them anymore; their families will never set eyes on them again.
10 Let [his] inferiors destroy his children, and let his hands kindle the fire of sorrow.
Their children will have to pay back the poor; they will have to return their wealth.
11 His bones have been filled with [vigour of] his youth, and it shall lie down with him in the dust.
Though the wicked have bodies that are young and strong, they will die and be buried.
12 Though evil be sweet in his mouth, [though] he will hide it under his tongue;
Though evil tastes sweet in their mouths and they hide it under their tongues,
13 though he will not spare it, and will not leave it, but will keep it in the midst of his throat:
not letting it go but keeping it in their mouths,
14 yet he shall not at all be able to help himself; the gall of an asp is in his belly.
in their stomachs it turns bitter, becoming like snake venom inside them.
15 [His] wealth unjustly collected shall be vomited up; a messenger [of wrath] shall drag him out of his house.
They swallow wealth and vomit it up again; God forces it from their stomachs.
16 And let him suck the poison of serpents, and let the serpent's tongue kill him.
They suck in snake venom; the bite of the viper will kill them.
17 Let him not see the milk of the pastures, nor the supplies of honey and butter.
They will not live to enjoy the streams, the rivers of milk and honey.
18 He has laboured unprofitably and in vain, [for] wealth of which he shall not taste: [it is] as a lean thing, unfit for food, which he can’t swallow.
They will have to give back what they have gained and will not have any benefit; they will not enjoy any of their profits.
19 For he has broken down the houses of many mighty men: and he has plundered an habitation, though he built [it] not.
For they have oppressed and abandoned the poor; they have seized houses they did not build.
20 There is no security to his possessions; he shall not be saved by his desire.
Because their greed was never satisfied, nothing they liked is left that they didn't consume.
21 There is nothing remaining of his provisions; therefore his goods shall not flourish.
Nothing escapes their ravenous appetites, so their happiness doesn't last long.
22 But when he shall seem to be just satisfied, he shall be straitened; and all distress shall come upon him.
Even when the wicked have all that they want they run into trouble; all kinds of misery will fall upon them.
23 If by any means he would fill his belly, let [God] send upon him the fury of wrath; let him bring a torrent of pains upon him.
While they are busy filling their bellies, God's hostility will burn against them, raining down on them.
24 And he shall by no means escape from the power of the sword; let the brazen bow wound him.
As they flee to escape an iron weapon, a bronze arrow will strike them down.
25 And let the arrow pierce through his body; and let the stars be against his dwelling-place: let terrors come upon him.
The arrow is pulled out of their gall bladder, glistening with blood. They are absolutely terrified!
26 And let all darkness wait for him: a fire that burns not out shall consume him; and let a stranger plague his house.
All they value will disappear into the darkness; divine fire will destroy them; all they have left will go up in smoke.
27 And let the heaven reveal his iniquities, and the earth rise up against him.
The heavens reveal what they have done wrong; the earth will rise up against them.
28 Let destruction bring his house to an end; let a day of wrath come upon him.
All their possessions will be carried from their homes; they will be dragged off on the day of God's judgment.
29 This is the portion of an ungodly man from the Lord, and the possession of his goods [appointed him] by the all-seeing [God].
This is the share the wicked receive from God, the inheritance God says they should have.”
