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[1] THEN Zophar, the Naamathite, answered and said,
[2] Therefore my discipline has caused me to discern, and for my help it has remained with me.
[3] I will make you hear the instruction of my discipline, and the spirit of my understanding will cause me to answer.
[4] This I know from of old, since man was created upon the earth,
[5] That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless but for a moment.
[6] Though his excellency mount up to the heavens and his head reach to the clouds,
[7] Yet he shall perish for ever like a whirlwind; those who have seen him shall say, Where is he?
[8] He shall fly away like a dream, and shall not be found; yea, he shall be chased away like a vision of the night.
[9] The eye also which saw him shall see him no more; neither shall they see his place again
[10] His children shall be crushed with poverty, and he shall stretch out his hands toward them.
[11] His bones are full of marrow, but they shall lie down with him in the dust.
[12] Though his wickedness is sweet in his mouth, though he hide deceit under his tongue,
[13] Though he spare it and forsake it not, but keep it still in his mouth;
[14] Yet his food in his stomach is turned, it is the gall of asps within him.
[15] The riches which he had swallowed down, he shall vomit up out of his belly; and God shall destroy him.
[16] He shall suck the poison of asps; the tongue of an adder shall slay him.
[17] He shall not see the rivers, the floods, the brooks of honey and butter.
[18] That which he had labored for shall he restore, and shall not swallow it down; that which he had acquired by extortion he shall not enjoy;
[19] Because he has thought to forsake the poor; because he has violently taken away a house which he did not build.
[20] Because he knew no justice himself, he shall not be spared by his covetousness.
[21] There shall none of his posterity be spared; therefore his good will not be remembered.
[22] With the measure with which he had measured, he shall be recompensed; the hand of the wicked shall come upon him
[23] May his posterity go to destruction, may God cast the fury of his wrath upon him, and deluge him while he wars against him.
[24] For although he had escaped because of the breastplate of iron, the bow of brass shall pierce him through.
[25] It is drawn, and it brings forth his inward parts; and the skin of his gall shall be pierced; terror shall be upon him continually.
[26] All darkness is kept in store for his posterity; a blazing fire shall consume him; and the one who is left in his tent shall be destroyed.
[27] The heaven shall reveal his sins; and the earth avenge itself upon him.
[28] The foundations of his house shall be left bare and he shall be scourged in the day of his wrath.
[29] This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the heritage appointed to him from the Highest
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