Bible
- 1
- THEN ZOPHAR the Naamathite answered,
- 2
- Therefore do my thoughts give me an answer, and I make haste [to offer it] for this reason.
- 3
- I have heard the reproof which puts me to shame, but out of my understanding my spirit answers me.
- 4
- Do you not know from of old, since the time that man was placed on the earth,
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- That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless and defiled is but for a moment? [Ps. 37:35, 36.]
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- Though his [proud] height mounts up to the heavens and his head reaches to the clouds,
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- Yet he will perish forever like his own dung; those who have seen him will say, Where is he?
- 8
- He will fly away like a dream and will not be found; yes, he will be chased away as a vision of the night.
- 9
- The eye which saw him will see him no more, neither will his [accustomed] place any more behold him.
- 10
- The poor will oppress his children, and his hands will give back his [ill-gotten] wealth.
- 11
- His bones are full of youthful energy, but it will lie down with him in the dust.
- 12
- Though wickedness is sweet in his mouth, though he hides it under his tongue,
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- Though he is loath to let it go but keeps it still within his mouth,
- 14
- Yet his food turns [to poison] in his stomach; it is the venom of asps within him.
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- He has swallowed down [his ill-gotten] riches, and he shall vomit them up again; God will cast them out of his belly.
- 16
- He shall suck the poison of asps [which ill-gotten wealth contains]; the viper's tongue shall slay him.
- 17
- He shall not look upon the rivers, the flowing streams of honey and butter [to enjoy his wealth].
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- That which he labored for shall he give back and shall not swallow it down [to enjoy it]; according to his wealth shall the restitution be, and he shall not rejoice in it.
- 19
- For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor; he has violently taken away a house which he did not build.
- 20
- Because his desire and greed knew no quietness within him, he will not save anything of that in which he delights.
- 21
- There was nothing left that he did not devour; therefore his prosperity will not endure.
- 22
- In the fullness of his sufficiency [in the time of his great abundance] he shall be poor and in straits; every hand of everyone who is in misery shall come upon him [he is but a wretch on every side].
- 23
- When he is about to fill his belly [as in the wilderness when God sent the quails], God will cast the fierceness of His wrath upon him and will rain it upon him while he is eating. [Num. 11:33; Ps. 78:26-31.]
- 24
- He will flee from the iron weapon, but the bow of bronze shall strike him through.
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- [The arrow] is drawn forth and it comes out after passing through his body; yes, the glittering point comes out of his gall. Terrors march in upon him;
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- Every misfortune is laid up for his treasures. A fire not blown by man shall devour him; it shall consume what is left in his tent [and it shall go ill with him who remains there].
- 27
- The heavens shall reveal his iniquity, and the earth shall rise up against him.
- 28
- The produce and increase of his house will go into exile [with the victors], dragged away in the day of [God's] wrath.
- 29
- This is the wicked man's portion from God, and the heritage appointed to him by God.
Copyright Information:
Amplified Bible Copyright (c) 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631 All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org
