2Therefore my discipline has caused me to discern, and for my help it has remained with me.

3I will make you hear the instruction of my discipline, and the spirit of my understanding will cause me to answer.

4This I know from of old, since man was created upon the earth,

5That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless but for a moment.

6Though his excellency mount up to the heavens and his head reach to the clouds,

7Yet he shall perish for ever like a whirlwind; those who have seen him shall say, Where is he?

8He shall fly away like a dream, and shall not be found; yea, he shall be chased away like a vision of the night.

9The eye also which saw him shall see him no more; neither shall they see his place again.

10His children shall be crushed with poverty, and he shall stretch out his hands toward them.

11His bones are full of marrow, but they shall lie down with him in the dust.

12Though his wickedness is sweet in his mouth, though he hide deceit under his tongue,

13Though he spare it and forsake it not, but keep it still in his mouth;

14Yet his food in his stomach is turned, it is the gall of asps within him.

15The riches which he had swallowed down, he shall vomit up out of his belly; and God shall destroy him.

16He shall suck the poison of asps; the tongue of an adder shall slay him.

17He shall not see the rivers, the floods, the brooks of honey and butter.

18That which he had labored for shall he restore, and shall not swallow it down; that which he had acquired by extortion he shall not enjoy;

19Because he has thought to forsake the poor; because he has violently taken away a house which he did not build.

20Because he knew no justice himself, he shall not be spared by his covetousness.

21There shall none of his posterity be spared; therefore his good will not be remembered.

22With the measure with which he had measured, he shall be recompensed; the hand of the wicked shall come upon him.

23May his posterity go to destruction, may God cast the fury of his wrath upon him, and deluge him while he wars against him.

24For although he had escaped because of the breastplate of iron, the bow of brass shall pierce him through.

25It is drawn, and it brings forth his inward parts; and the skin of his gall shall be pierced; terror shall be upon him continually.

26All darkness is kept in store for his posterity; a blazing fire shall consume him; and the one who is left in his tent shall be destroyed.

27The heaven shall reveal his sins; and the earth avenge itself upon him.

28The foundations of his house shall be left bare and he shall be scourged in the day of his wrath.

29This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the heritage appointed to him from the Highest.