1 Then Zophar the Naamathite spoke and said:
2 and because of this I am disturbed. So now my thoughts provide me with an answer, and from my understanding a spirit gives me a reply.
3 A rebuke which puts me to shame I hear,
4 Do you not know this from olden time, since man was placed upon the earth,
5 That the triumph of the wicked is short and the joy of the impious but for a moment?
6 Though his pride mount up to the heavens and his head reach to the clouds,
7 Yet he perishes forever like the fuel of his fire, and the onlookers say, "Where is he?"
8 Like a dream he takes flight and is not found again; he fades away like a vision of the night.
9 The eye which saw him does so no more; nor shall his dwelling again behold him.
10 and his hands shall yield up his riches.
11 Though his frame is full of youthful vigor, this shall lie with him in the dust.
12 Though wickedness is sweet in his mouth, and he hides it under his tongue,
13 Though he retains it and will not let it go but keeps it still within his mouth,
14 Yet in his stomach the food shall turn; it shall be venom of asps inside him.
15 The riches he swallowed he shall disgorge; God shall compel his belly to disown them.
16 The poison of asps he shall drink in; the viper's fangs shall slay him.
17 He shall see no streams of oil, no torrents of honey or milk.
18 Restoring his gains, he shall not enjoy them; though his wealth increases, he shall not rejoice.
19 Because he has oppressed the poor, and stolen a patrimony he had not built up,
20 Though he has known no quiet in his greed, his treasures shall not save him.
21 Therefore his prosperity shall not endure,
22 When he abounds to overflowing, he shall be brought into straits, and nought shall be left of his goods.
23 God shall send against him the fury of his wrath and rain down his missiles of war upon him.
24 Should he escape the iron weapon, the bow of bronze shall pierce him through;
25 The dart shall come out of his back; terrors shall fall upon him.
26 Complete darkness is in store for him; the fire which shall consume him needs not to be fanned.
27 The heavens shall reveal his guilt, and the earth shall rise up against him.
28 The flood shall sweep away his house with the waters that run off in the day of God's anger.
29 This is the portion of a wicked man, and the heritage appointed him by God.
Versículos relacionados com Job, 20:
Job 20 presents a speech by Zofar, Job's third friend, who tries to convince him to recognize God's righteousness in his afflictions and confess his sins. Zofar makes a vivid description of the fate of the wicked, arguing that divine punishment always falls on them. The following verses address themes similar to those treated by Zofar:
Proverbs 10:27: "The fear of the Lord extends the days, but the life of the wicked is abbreviated." This verse talks about the fate of the wicked, which according to Zofar in Job 20, is marked by suffering and premature death.
Psalm 37:35-36: "I saw a arrogant wicked and spreading as a leafy tree on native soil. But it passed and no longer exists; I looked for it, but could not be found." This psalm also talks about the fate of the wicked, which is compared to a dry and died tree.
Proverbs 1:33: "But anyone who hears me will live safely and will be quiet, without fear of any evil." This verse highlights the importance of listening to divine wisdom, which Zofar believes Job is rejecting.
Psalm 11:6: "He will make it rain over the wicked embers and an incandescent sulfur; a dry wind will be their share." This psalm also talks about the fate of the wicked, which is described as a rain of fire and sulfur, similar to Zofar's description in Job 20.
Proverbs 13:9: "The light of the righteous shines intensely, but the lamp of the wicked goes out." This verse highlights the difference between the righteous and the wicked, reinforcing the idea that divine punishment always falls on seconds.
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