J6 R 1-5. His theme stated.
S 6-28. Expansion of the theme.
R 29. The theme restated.
1656 B.C.
Job 20)
1 Then spoke again Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
2 "Therefore do my thoughts cause me to answer, and for this I make haste.
3 I have heard the correction for my reproach (i.e. meant to confound me, referring to chap. 19), and the spirit from my understanding causes me to answer.
4 Know you not this (this was Zophar's reply to Job in 19:25, implying that Job had no such hope) from of old, since man was placed upon earth,
5 That the triumphing of the lawless is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?
6 Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds;
7 Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, 'Where is he?'
8 He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: yes, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night.
9 The eye also which saw him shall see him no more; neither shall his place any more behold him.
10 His sons shall pay court to the impoverished, and his hands shall restore their goods.
11 His bones are full of the sin of his youth, which shall lie down with him in the dust.
12 Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue;
13 Though he spare it, and forsake it not; but keep it still within his palate:
14 Yet his bread (put for all kinds of food) in his bowels is turned, it is the gall of asps within him.
15 He has swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again: GOD (El) shall cast them out of his belly.
16 He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper's tongue shall slay him.
17 He shall not see the diversion of water for irrigation (as in a garden), the rivers (overflowing), the wadys (summer streams) of honey and butter.
18 That which he labored for shall he restore, and shall not swallow it down: according to his substance shall the restitution be, and he shall not rejoice therein.
19 Because he has oppressed and has forsaken the poor; because he has violently taken away an house which he built not;
20 Surely he shall not know (or experience) quietness in his belly, he shall not save of that which he desired.
21 There shall none of his meat be left; therefore shall no man look for his goods.
22 In the fullness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits: all power of trouble shall come upon him.
23 When he is about to fill his belly, God shall cast the fury of his wrath upon him, and shall rain it upon him while he is eating.
24 He shall flee from the iron weapon, and the bow of steel shall strike him through.
25 It is drawn, and comes out of the body; yes, the glittering sword comes out of his gall: terrors are upon him.
26 All darkness shall be hid in his secret places: a fire not blown up (or produced by man) shall consume him; it shall go ill with him that is left in his tent.
27 The heaven shall reveal his iniquity; and the earth shall rise up against him.
28 The increase of his house shall depart, and his goods shall melt away (disappear) in the day of His wrath.
29 This is the portion of a wicked man from God (Elohim), and the heritage appointed to him by GOD."