Job 20

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW JERUSALEM
1 Zophar of Naamath spoke next. He said:	1 Zophar of Naamath spoke next. He said:
2 My thoughts urge me to reply to this, and hence the impatience that grips me.	2 My thoughts urge me to reply to this, and hence the impatience that grips me.
3 I have put up with prating that outrages me and now my mind inspires me with an answer.	3 I have put up with prating that outrages me and now my mind inspires me with an answer.
4 Do you not know, that since time began and human beings were set on the earth,	4 Do you not know, that since time began and human beings were set on the earth,
5 the triumph of the wicked has always been brief, and the sinner's gladness has never lasted long?	5 the triumph of the wicked has always been brief, and the sinner's gladness has never lasted long?
6 Towering to the sky he may have been, his head touching the clouds;	6 Towering to the sky he may have been, his head touching the clouds;
7 but he vanishes, like a phantom, once for al , while those who used to see him, ask, 'Where is he?'	7 but he vanishes, like a phantom, once for al , while those who used to see him, ask, 'Where is he?'
8 Like a dream that leaves no trace he takes his flight, like a vision in the night he flies away.	8 Like a dream that leaves no trace he takes his flight, like a vision in the night he flies away.
9 The eye accustomed to see him sees him no more, his home wil never set eyes on him again.	9 The eye accustomed to see him sees him no more, his home wil never set eyes on him again.
10 His sons will have to reimburse the poor and his children pay back his riches.	10 His sons will have to reimburse the poor and his children pay back his riches.
11 His bones used to be ful of youthful vigour: and there it lies, in the dust with him, now!	11 His bones used to be ful of youthful vigour: and there it lies, in the dust with him, now!
12 Evil was sweet to his mouth, he would shelter it under his tongue;	12 Evil was sweet to his mouth, he would shelter it under his tongue;
13 cultivating it careful y, he would let it linger on his palate.	13 cultivating it careful y, he would let it linger on his palate.
14 Such food goes bad in his bel y, working inside him like the poison of a viper.	14 Such food goes bad in his bel y, working inside him like the poison of a viper.
15 Now he has to vomit up the wealth that he has swal owed, God makes him disgorge it.	15 Now he has to vomit up the wealth that he has swal owed, God makes him disgorge it.
16 He used to suck vipers' venom, and the tongue of the adder kills him.	16 He used to suck vipers' venom, and the tongue of the adder kills him.
17 No more will he know the streams of oil or the torrents of honey and cream.	17 No more will he know the streams of oil or the torrents of honey and cream.
18 When he gives back his winnings, his cheerfulness wil fade, and the satisfied air he had whenbusiness was thriving.	18 When he gives back his winnings, his cheerfulness wil fade, and the satisfied air he had whenbusiness was thriving.
19 Since he once destroyed the huts of the poor, plundering houses instead of building them up,	19 Since he once destroyed the huts of the poor, plundering houses instead of building them up,
20 since his avarice could never be satisfied, now al his hoarding will not save him;	20 since his avarice could never be satisfied, now al his hoarding will not save him;
21 since nothing could escape his greed, his prosperity wil not last.	21 since nothing could escape his greed, his prosperity wil not last.
22 When he has everything he needs, want wil seize him, and misery wil light on him with all its force.	22 When he has everything he needs, want wil seize him, and misery wil light on him with all its force.
23 On him God looses al his burning wrath, hurling against his flesh a hail of arrows.	23 On him God looses al his burning wrath, hurling against his flesh a hail of arrows.
24 If he escapes the weapons of iron, the bow of bronze wil transfix him.	24 If he escapes the weapons of iron, the bow of bronze wil transfix him.
25 Out of his back sticks an arrow, from his gal a shining point. The terrors advance on him,	25 Out of his back sticks an arrow, from his gal a shining point. The terrors advance on him,
26 all the hidden darknesses are waiting to carry him off. A fire unlit by human hand devours him, andconsumes what is left in his tent.	26 all the hidden darknesses are waiting to carry him off. A fire unlit by human hand devours him, andconsumes what is left in his tent.
27 The heavens lay bare his iniquity, and the earth rises up against him.	27 The heavens lay bare his iniquity, and the earth rises up against him.
28 The income of his house pours away, like the torrents, on the day of retribution.	28 The income of his house pours away, like the torrents, on the day of retribution.
29 Such is the fate God reserves for the wicked, the inheritance he assigns to the accursed!	29 Such is the fate God reserves for the wicked, the inheritance he assigns to the accursed!