| NET Bible | New International Version |
| 1Then Zophar the Naamathite answered: | 1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied: |
| 2"This is why my troubled thoughts bring me back--because of my feelings within me. | 2"My troubled thoughts prompt me to answer because I am greatly disturbed. |
| 3When I hear a reproof that dishonors me, then my understanding prompts me to answer. | 3I hear a rebuke that dishonors me, and my understanding inspires me to reply. |
| 4"Surely you know that it has been from old, ever since humankind was placed on the earth, | 4"Surely you know how it has been from of old, ever since mankind was placed on the earth, |
| 5that the elation of the wicked is brief, the joy of the godless lasts but a moment. | 5that the mirth of the wicked is brief, the joy of the godless lasts but a moment. |
| 6Even though his stature reaches to the heavens and his head touches the clouds, | 6Though the pride of the godless person reaches to the heavens and his head touches the clouds, |
| 7he will perish forever, like his own excrement; those who used to see him will say, 'Where is he?' | 7he will perish forever, like his own dung; those who have seen him will say, 'Where is he?' |
| 8Like a dream he flies away, never again to be found, and like a vision of the night he is put to flight. | 8Like a dream he flies away, no more to be found, banished like a vision of the night. |
| 9People who had seen him will not see him again, and the place where he was will recognize him no longer. | 9The eye that saw him will not see him again; his place will look on him no more. |
| 10His sons must recompense the poor; his own hands must return his wealth. | 10His children must make amends to the poor; his own hands must give back his wealth. |
| 11His bones were full of his youthful vigor, but that vigor will lie down with him in the dust. | 11The youthful vigor that fills his bones will lie with him in the dust. |
| 12"If evil is sweet in his mouth and he hides it under his tongue, | 12"Though evil is sweet in his mouth and he hides it under his tongue, |
| 13if he retains it for himself and does not let it go, and holds it fast in his mouth, | 13though he cannot bear to let it go and lets it linger in his mouth, |
| 14his food is turned sour in his stomach; it becomes the venom of serpents within him. | 14yet his food will turn sour in his stomach; it will become the venom of serpents within him. |
| 15The wealth that he consumed he vomits up, God will make him throw it out of his stomach. | 15He will spit out the riches he swallowed; God will make his stomach vomit them up. |
| 16He sucks the poison of serpents; the fangs of a viper kill him. | 16He will suck the poison of serpents; the fangs of an adder will kill him. |
| 17He will not look on the streams, the rivers, which are the torrents of honey and butter. | 17He will not enjoy the streams, the rivers flowing with honey and cream. |
| 18He gives back the ill-gotten gain without assimilating it; he will not enjoy the wealth from his commerce. | 18What he toiled for he must give back uneaten; he will not enjoy the profit from his trading. |
| 19For he has oppressed the poor and abandoned them; he has seized a house which he did not build. | 19For he has oppressed the poor and left them destitute; he has seized houses he did not build. |
| 20For he knows no satisfaction in his appetite; he does not let anything he desires escape. | 20"Surely he will have no respite from his craving; he cannot save himself by his treasure. |
| 21"Nothing is left for him to devour; that is why his prosperity does not last. | 21Nothing is left for him to devour; his prosperity will not endure. |
| 22In the fullness of his sufficiency, distress overtakes him. the full force of misery will come upon him. | 22In the midst of his plenty, distress will overtake him; the full force of misery will come upon him. |
| 23"While he is filling his belly, God sends his burning anger against him, and rains down his blows upon him. | 23When he has filled his belly, God will vent his burning anger against him and rain down his blows on him. |
| 24If he flees from an iron weapon, then an arrow from a bronze bow pierces him. | 24Though he flees from an iron weapon, a bronze-tipped arrow pierces him. |
| 25When he pulls it out and it comes out of his back, the gleaming point out of his liver, terrors come over him. | 25He pulls it out of his back, the gleaming point out of his liver. Terrors will come over him; |
| 26Total darkness waits to receive his treasures; a fire which has not been kindled will consume him and devour what is left in his tent. | 26total darkness lies in wait for his treasures. A fire unfanned will consume him and devour what is left in his tent. |
| 27The heavens reveal his iniquity; the earth rises up against him. | 27The heavens will expose his guilt; the earth will rise up against him. |
| 28A flood will carry off his house, rushing waters on the day of God's wrath. | 28A flood will carry off his house, rushing waters on the day of God's wrath. |
| 29Such is the lot God allots the wicked, and the heritage of his appointment from God." | 29Such is the fate God allots the wicked, the heritage appointed for them by God." |
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