AB - Job - 20

20:1  Then Zophar the Minaean answered and said,

20:2  I did not suppose that you would answer this way: neither do you understand more than I.

20:3  I will hear my shameful reproach, and the spirit of my understanding answers me.

20:4  Have you not known these things of old, from the time that man was set upon the earth?

20:5  But the mirth of the ungodly is a signal downfall, and the joy of transgressors is destruction:

20:6  although his gifts should go up to heaven, and his sacrifice reach the clouds.

20:7  For when he shall seem to be established, then he shall utterly perish, and those that knew him shall say, Where is he?

20:8  Like a dream that has fled away, he shall not be found; and he has fled like a vision of the night.

20:9  The eye has looked upon him, but shall not see him again; and his place shall no longer perceive him.

20:10  Let his inferiors destroy his children, and let his hands kindle the fire of sorrow.

20:11  His bones have been filled with the vigor of his youth, and it shall lie down with him in the dust.

20:12  Though evil be sweet in his mouth, though he will hide it under his tongue;

20:13  though he will not spare it, and will not leave it, but will keep it in the midst of his throat:

20:14  yet he shall not at all be able to help himself; the gall of an asp is in his belly.

20:15  His wealth unjustly collected shall be vomited up; a messenger of wrath shall drag him out of his house.

20:16  And let him suck the poison of serpents, and let the serpent's tongue slay him.

20:17  Let him not see the milk of the pastures, nor the supplies of honey and butter.

20:18  He has labored unprofitably and in vain, for wealth of which he shall not taste: it is as a lean thing, unfit for food, which he cannot swallow.

20:19  For he has broken down the houses of many mighty men, and he has plundered a house, though he built it not.

20:20  There is no security to his possessions; he shall not be saved by his desire.

20:21  There is nothing remaining of his provisions, therefore his goods shall not flourish.

20:22  But when he shall seem to be just satisfied, he shall be straitened; and all distress shall come upon him.

20:23  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.

20:24  And he shall by no means escape from the power of the sword; let the bronze bow wound him.

20:25  And let the arrow pierce through his body; and let the stars be against his dwelling-place: let terrors come upon him.

20:26  And let all darkness wait for him: an unfanned fire shall consume him, and let a stranger plague his house.

20:27  And let the heavens reveal his iniquities, and the earth rise up against him.

20:28  Let destruction bring his house to an end; let a day of wrath come upon him.

20:29  This is the portion of an ungodly man from the Lord, and the possession of his goods appointed him by the all-seeing God.