| Chapter 20 |
1 |
Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said, --
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2 |
Therefore do my thoughts give answer to me, Even by reason of my haste that is in me. --
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3 |
I have heard the reproof which putteth me to shame; And the spirit of my understanding answereth me. --
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4 |
Knowest thou [not] this of old time, Since man was placed upon earth, --
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5 |
That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless but for a moment? --
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6 |
Though his height mount up to the heavens, And his head reach unto the clouds; --
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7 |
Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: They that have seen him shall say, Where is he? --
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8 |
He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: Yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night. --
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9 |
The eye which saw him shall see him no more; Neither shall his place any more behold him. --
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10 |
His children shall seek the favor of the poor, And his hands shall give back his wealth. --
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11 |
His bones are full of his youth, But it shall lie down with him in the dust. --
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12 |
Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, Though he hide it under his tongue, --
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13 |
Though he spare it, and will not let it go, But keep it still within his mouth; --
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14 |
Yet his food in his bowels is turned, It is the gall of asps within him. --
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15 |
He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again; God will cast them out of his belly. --
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16 |
He shall suck the poison of asps: The viper's tongue shall slay him. --
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17 |
He shall not look upon the rivers, The flowing streams of honey and butter. --
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18 |
That which he labored for shall he restore, and shall not swallow it down; According to the substance that he hath gotten, he shall not rejoice. --
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19 |
For he hath oppressed and forsaken the poor; He hath violently taken away a house, and he shall not build it up. --
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20 |
Because he knew no quietness within him, He shall not save aught of that wherein he delighteth. --
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21 |
There was nothing left that he devoured not; Therefore his prosperity shall not endure. --
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22 |
In the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits: The hand of every one that is in misery shall come upon him. --
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23 |
When he is about to fill his belly, [God] will cast the fierceness of his wrath upon him, And will rain it upon him while he is eating. --
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24 |
He shall flee from the iron weapon, And the bow of brass shall strike him through. --
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25 |
He draweth it forth, and it cometh out of his body; Yea, the glittering point cometh out of his gall: Terrors are upon him. --
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26 |
All darkness is laid up for his treasures: A fire not blown [by man] shall devour him; It shall consume that which is left in his tent. --
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27 |
The heavens shall reveal his iniquity, And the earth shall rise up against him. --
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28 |
The increase of his house shall depart; [His goods] shall flow away in the day of his wrath. --
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29 |
This is the portion of a wicked man from God, And the heritage appointed unto him by God. --
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