Job 20 – read and compare multiple versions
Job 20
[1] Then Zophar the Naamathite answered,
[2] “Therefore my thoughts answer me,
even by reason of my haste that is in me.
[3] I have heard the reproof which puts me to shame.
The spirit of my understanding answers me.
[4] Don’t you know this from old time,
since man was placed on earth,
[5] that the triumphing of the wicked is short,
the joy of the godless but for a moment?
[6] Though his height mount up to the heavens,
and his head reach to the clouds,
[7] yet he will perish forever like his own dung.
Those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’
[8] He will fly away as a dream, and will not be found.
Yes, he will be chased away like a vision of the night.
[9] The eye which saw him will see him no more,
neither will his place see him any more.
[10] His children will seek the favor of the poor.
His hands will give back his wealth.
[11] His bones are full of his youth,
but youth will lie down with him in the dust. [12] “Though wickedness is sweet in his mouth,
though he hide it under his tongue,
[13] though he spare it, and will not let it go,
but keep it still within his mouth,
[14] yet his food in his bowels is turned.
It is cobra venom within him.
[15] He has swallowed down riches, and he will vomit them up again.
God will cast them out of his belly.
[16] He will suck cobra venom.
The viper’s tongue will kill him.
[17] He will not look at the rivers,
the flowing streams of honey and butter.
[18] He will restore that for which he labored, and will not swallow it down.
He will not rejoice according to the substance that he has gotten.
[19] For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor.
He has violently taken away a house, and he will not build it up. [20] “Because he knew no quietness within him,
he will not save anything of that in which he delights.
[21] There was nothing left that he didn’t devour,
therefore his prosperity will not endure.
[22] In the fullness of his sufficiency, distress will overtake him.
The hand of everyone who is in misery will come on him.
[23] When he is about to fill his belly, God will cast the fierceness of his wrath on him.
It will rain on him while he is eating.
[24] He will flee from the iron weapon.
The bronze arrow will strike him through.
[25] He draws it out, and it comes out of his body.
Yes, the glittering point comes out of his liver.
Terrors are on him.
[26] All darkness is laid up for his treasures.
An unfanned fire will devour him.
It will consume that which is left in his tent.
[27] The heavens will reveal his iniquity.
The earth will rise up against him.
[28] The increase of his house will depart.
They will rush away in the day of his wrath.
[29] This is the portion of a wicked man from God,
the heritage appointed to him by God.”
[2] “Therefore my thoughts answer me,
even by reason of my haste that is in me.
[3] I have heard the reproof which puts me to shame.
The spirit of my understanding answers me.
[4] Don’t you know this from old time,
since man was placed on earth,
[5] that the triumphing of the wicked is short,
the joy of the godless but for a moment?
[6] Though his height mount up to the heavens,
and his head reach to the clouds,
[7] yet he will perish forever like his own dung.
Those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’
[8] He will fly away as a dream, and will not be found.
Yes, he will be chased away like a vision of the night.
[9] The eye which saw him will see him no more,
neither will his place see him any more.
[10] His children will seek the favor of the poor.
His hands will give back his wealth.
[11] His bones are full of his youth,
but youth will lie down with him in the dust. [12] “Though wickedness is sweet in his mouth,
though he hide it under his tongue,
[13] though he spare it, and will not let it go,
but keep it still within his mouth,
[14] yet his food in his bowels is turned.
It is cobra venom within him.
[15] He has swallowed down riches, and he will vomit them up again.
God will cast them out of his belly.
[16] He will suck cobra venom.
The viper’s tongue will kill him.
[17] He will not look at the rivers,
the flowing streams of honey and butter.
[18] He will restore that for which he labored, and will not swallow it down.
He will not rejoice according to the substance that he has gotten.
[19] For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor.
He has violently taken away a house, and he will not build it up. [20] “Because he knew no quietness within him,
he will not save anything of that in which he delights.
[21] There was nothing left that he didn’t devour,
therefore his prosperity will not endure.
[22] In the fullness of his sufficiency, distress will overtake him.
The hand of everyone who is in misery will come on him.
[23] When he is about to fill his belly, God will cast the fierceness of his wrath on him.
It will rain on him while he is eating.
[24] He will flee from the iron weapon.
The bronze arrow will strike him through.
[25] He draws it out, and it comes out of his body.
Yes, the glittering point comes out of his liver.
Terrors are on him.
[26] All darkness is laid up for his treasures.
An unfanned fire will devour him.
It will consume that which is left in his tent.
[27] The heavens will reveal his iniquity.
The earth will rise up against him.
[28] The increase of his house will depart.
They will rush away in the day of his wrath.
[29] This is the portion of a wicked man from God,
the heritage appointed to him by God.”