Job 20

1 Then Zophar from Naamath replied:ISV — Job 20:1

2 “Therefore my anxious thoughts cause me to answer because I’m agitated within me.ISV — Job 20:2

3 Whenever I hear an insulting rebuke, I respond from my spirit because I understand.”ISV — Job 20:3

4 “Haven’t you known this from ancient times, since mankind was placed on the earth?ISV — Job 20:4

5 The wicked triumph only briefly; the joy of the godless is momentary.ISV — Job 20:5

6 Though he grow as tall as the sky, or though his head touches the clouds,ISV — Job 20:6

7 he’ll perish forever, like his own excrement; those who saw him will ask, ‘Where is he?’ISV — Job 20:7

8 He’ll vanish ^{a20:8 Lit. He’ll fly away} like a dream, and no one will find him; he will be chased away like a night vision.”ISV — Job 20:8

9 “An eye that gazes at him won’t do so again; and his place won’t even recognize him.ISV — Job 20:9

10 His sons will make amends to the poor; their hands will return his wealth.ISV — Job 20:10

11 Though his bones were full of youthful vigor; yet they will lie down with him in the dust.ISV — Job 20:11

12 Though evil tastes sweet in his mouth, though he conceals it under his tongue,ISV — Job 20:12

13 though he savors it and delays swallowing it so he can taste it again and again in his mouth, ^{b20:13 Lit. can hold it in the middle of his palate}ISV — Job 20:13

14 his food will turn rancid in his stomach— it will become a cobra’s poison inside him.ISV — Job 20:14

15 “Though he swallows wealth, he will vomit it; God will dislodge it from his stomach.ISV — Job 20:15

16 He will suck the poison of cobras; the fangs ^{c20:16 Or tongue} of a viper will slay him.ISV — Job 20:16

17 He won’t look at the rivers— the torrents of honey and curd. ^{d20:17 Or butter}ISV — Job 20:17

18 “He will restore what he has attained from his work and won’t consume it; he won’t enjoy the profits from his business transactions,ISV — Job 20:18

19 because he has crushed and abandoned the poor; he has seized a house that he didn’t build.ISV — Job 20:19

20 “Since his appetite won’t quit; ^{e20:20 Lit. his belly knew no contentment} he won’t let anything escape his lust. ^{f20:20 Lit. delight}ISV — Job 20:20

21 Because nothing was left for him to devour, therefore his prosperity won’t last.ISV — Job 20:21

22 Even though he is satiated and self-sufficient, he suffers— everyone in any sort of trouble will attack him.ISV — Job 20:22

23 “It will come about that, when he has filled himself to the full, God ^{g20:23 Lit. he} will vent his burning anger on him; he will pour it out on him and on his body.ISV — Job 20:23

24 Though he dodges an iron weapon, a bronze arrow will pierce him.ISV — Job 20:24

25 It will impale him and come out through his back; the point will glisten as it protrudes through his gall bladder, and he will be terrified.ISV — Job 20:25

26 “Total darkness has been reserved for his treasures; a fire that has no need to be kindled will devour him and consume whatever remains in his possession. ^{h20:26 Lit. tent}ISV — Job 20:26

27 Heaven will reveal his iniquity, while the earth will rise up against him.ISV — Job 20:27

28 A flood will wash away his house; dragging it away when God becomes angry.ISV — Job 20:28

29 This is what the wicked person inherits from God; it is the inheritance that God appoints for him.”ISV — Job 20:29