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| [1]Then Sophar the Minaean answered and said, |
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| [2]I did not suppose that thou wouldest answer thus: neither do ye understand more than I. |
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| [3]I will hear my shameful reproach; and the spirit of my understanding answers me. |
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| [4]Hast thou not known these things of old, from the time that man was set upon the earth? |
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| [5]But the mirth of the ungodly is a signal downfall, and the joy of transgressors is destruction: |
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| [6]although his gifts should go up to heaven, and his sacrifice reach the clouds. |
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| [7]For when he shall seem to be now established, then he shall utterly perish: and they that knew him shall say, Where is he? |
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| [8]Like a dream that has fled away, he shall not be found; and he has fled like a vision of the night. |
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| [9]The eye has looked upon him, but shall not see him again; and his place shall no longer perceive him. |
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| [10]Let his inferiors destroy his children, and let his hands kindle the fire of sorrow. |
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| [11]His bones have been filled with vigour of his youth, and it shall lie down with him in the dust. |
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| [12]Though evil be sweet in his mouth, though he will hide it under his tongue; |
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| [13]though he will not spare it, and will not leave it, but will keep it in the midst of his throat: |
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| [14]yet he shall not at all be able to help himself; the gall of an asp is in his belly. |
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| [15]His wealth unjustly collected shall be vomited up; a messenger of wrath shall drag him out of his house. |
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| [16]And let him suck the poison of serpents, and let the serpent's tongue slay him. |
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| [17]Let him not see the milk of the pastures, nor the supplies of honey and butter. |
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| [18]He has laboured unprofitably and in vain, for wealth of which he shall not taste: it is as a lean thing, unfit for food, which he cannot swallow. |
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| [19]For he has broken down the houses of many mighty men: and he has plundered an habitation, though he built it not. |
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| [20]There is no security to his possessions; he shall not be saved by his desire. |
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| [21]There is nothing remaining of his provisions; therefore his goods shall not flourish. |
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| [22]But when he shall seem to be just satisfied, he shall be straitened; and all distress shall come upon him. |
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| [23]If by any means he would fill his belly, let God send upon him the fury of wrath; let him bring a torrent of pains upon him. |
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| [24]And he shall by no means escape from the power of the sword; let the brazen bow wound him. |
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| [25]And let the arrow pierce through his body; and let the stars be against his dwelling-place: let terrors come upon him. |
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| [26]And let all darkness wait for him: a fire that burns not out shall consume him; and let a stranger plague his house. |
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| [27]And let the heaven reveal his iniquities, and the earth rise up against him. |
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| [28]Let destruction bring his house to an end; let a day of wrath come upon him. |
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| [29]This is the portion of an ungodly man from the Lord, and the possession of his goods appointed him by the all-seeing God. |
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