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[1] Then answered Zophar the Naamathite and said,
[2] Doubtless my thoughts cause me to answer, and therefore I make haste.
[3] I have heard the correction of my reproach: therefore the spirit of mine understanding causeth me to answer.
[4] Knowest thou not this of old? And since God placed man upon the earth,
[5] That the rejoicing of the wicked is short, and that the joy of hypocrites is but a moment?
[6] Though his excellency mount up to the heaven, and his head reach unto the clouds,
[7] Yet shall he perish forever, like his dung, and they which have seen him, shall say, Where is he?
[8] He shall flee away as a dream, and they shall not find him, and shall pass away as a vision of the night,
[9] So that the eye which had seen him, shall do so no more, and his place shall see him no more.
[10] His children shall flatter the poor, and his hands shall restore his substance.
[11] His bones are full of the sin of his youth, and it shall lie down with him in the dust.
[12] When wickedness was sweet in his mouth, and he hid it under his tongue,
[13] And favored it, and would not forsake it, but kept it close in his mouth,
[14] Then his meat in his bowels was turned: the gall of asps was in the midst of him.
[15] He hath devoured substance, and he shall vomit it: for God shall draw it out of his belly.
[16] He shall suck the gall of asps, and the viper's tongue shall slay him.
[17] He shall not see the rivers, nor the floods and streams of honey and butter.
[18] He shall restore the labor, and shall devour no more: even according to the substance shall be his exchange, and he shall enjoy it no more.
[19] For he hath undone many: he hath forsaken the poor, and hath spoiled houses which he builded not.
[20] Surely he shall feel no quietness in his body, neither shall he reserve of that which he desired.
[21] There shall none of his meat be left: therefore none shall hope for his goods.
[22] When he shall be filled with his abundance, he shall be in pain , and the hand of all the wicked shall assail him.
[23] He shall be about to fill his belly, but God shall send upon him his fierce wrath, and shall cause to rain upon him, even upon his meat.
[24] He shall flee from the iron weapons, and the bow of steel shall strike him through.
[25] The arrow is drawn out, and cometh forth of the body, and shineth of his gall, so fear cometh upon him.
[26] All darkness shall be hid in his secret places: the fire that is not blown shall devour him, and that which remaineth in his tabernacle, shall be destroyed.
[27] The heaven shall declare his wickedness, and the earth shall rise up against him.
[28] The increase of his house shall go away: it shall flow away in the day of his wrath.
[29] This is the portion of the wicked man from God, and the heritage that he shall have of God for his words.
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