¶ Then answered Sophar the Naamathite, and said:
For the same cause do my thoughts compel me to answer. And why? My mind is tossed here and there.
I have sufficiently heard thy checking and reproof, therefore am I purposed to make answer after mine understanding.
Knowest thou not this, namely: that from the beginning (ever since the creation of man upon earth)
the praise of the ungodly hath been short, and that the joy of the Hypocrites continued but the twinkling of an eye?
Though he be magnified up to the heaven, so that his head reacheth into the clouds:
yet he perish at the last like dung: In so much that they which have seen him, say: Where is he?
He vanisheth as a dream, so that he can no more be found, and passeth away as a vision in the night.
So that the eye which saw him before, getteth now no sight of him, and his place knoweth him no more.
¶ His children go a begging, their hands bring them to sorrow and heaviness.
From his youth his bones are full of vice, which shall lie down with him in the earth.
When wickedness is sweet in his mouth, he hideth it under his tongue.
That he favoureth, that will he not forsake, but keepeth it close in his throat.
The meat that he eateth, shall be turned to the poison of serpents, within his body.
The riches that he devoureth, shall he perbreak again, for God shall draw them out of his belly
he shall suck the serpent's head, and the adder's tongue shall slay him:
so that he shall no more see the rivers, and brooks of honey and butter:
But labour shall he, and yet have nothing to eat. Great travail shall he make for riches, but he shall not enjoy them.
And why? he hath oppressed the poor, and not helped them: houses hath he spoiled, and not builded them.
His belly could never be filled, therefore shall he perish in his covetousness.
He devoured so greedily, that he left nothing behind, therefore his goods shall not prosper.
Though he had plenteousness of everything, yet was he poor, and therefore he is but a wretch on every side.
¶ For though the wicked have never so much to fill his belly, yet God shall send his wrath upon him, and cause his battle to rain over him:
so that if he flee the iron weapons, he shall be shot with the steel bow.
The arrow shall be taken forth, and go out at his back, and a glistering sword thorow the gall of him, fear shall come upon him.
There shall no darkness be able to hide him. And unkindled fire shall consume him, and look what remaineth in his house, it shall be destroyed.
The heaven shall declare his wickedness, and the earth shall take part against him.
The substance that he hath in his house, shall be taken away and perish, in the day of the Lord's wrath.
This is the portion that the wicked shall have of God, and the heritage that he may look for of the Lorde.
Praise the Everlasting Lord for His Faithful Word.