| Chapter 20 |
1 |
Then Zophar the Naamathite answered, --
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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 puts me to shame; The spirit of my understanding answers me. --
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4 |
Don't you know this from old time, Since man was placed on earth, --
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5 |
That the triumphing of the wicked is short, 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 to the clouds, --
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7 |
Yet he shall perish forever like his own dung, Those who 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: Yes, he shall be chased away like 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 see him. --
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10 |
His children shall seek the favor of the poor. His hands shall give back his wealth. --
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11 |
His bones are full of his youth, But youth shall lie down with him in the dust. --
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12 |
'Though wickedness is 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 cobra venom within him. --
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15 |
He has 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 cobra venom. The viper's tongue shall kill him. --
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17 |
He shall not look at the rivers, The flowing streams of honey and butter. --
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18 |
That for which he labored he shall restore, and shall not swallow it down; According to the substance that he has gotten, he shall not rejoice. --
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19 |
For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor. He has 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 anything of that in which he delights. --
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21 |
There was nothing left that he didn't devour, Therefore his prosperity shall not endure. --
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22 |
In the fullness of his sufficiency, distress shall overtake him: The hand of everyone who is in misery shall come on him. --
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23 |
When he is about to fill his belly, God will cast the fierceness of his wrath on him. It will rain on him while he is eating. --
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24 |
He shall flee from the iron weapon. The bronze arrow shall strike him through. --
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25 |
He draws it forth, and it comes out of his body. Yes, the glittering point comes out of his liver. Terrors are on him. --
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26 |
All darkness is laid up for his treasures. An unfanned fire shall devour him. It shall consume that which is left in his tent. --
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27 |
The heavens shall reveal his iniquity, The earth shall rise up against him. --
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28 |
The increase of his house shall depart; They shall rush away in the day of his wrath. --
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29 |
This is the portion of a wicked man from God, The heritage appointed to him by God.' --
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