> [[job-19|← Previous]] | [[job-00|TOC]] | [[job-21|Next →]] --- # Job, Chapter 20 ## Chapter 20 **Zophar’s Second Speech.** 1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said: ^job-20-1 2 So now my thoughts provide an answer for me, ^job-20-2 because of the feelings within me. 3 A rebuke that puts me to shame I hear, ^job-20-3 and from my understanding a spirit gives me a reply. 4 Do you not know this: from of old, ^job-20-4 since human beings were placed upon the earth, 5 The triumph of the wicked is short ^job-20-5 and the joy of the impious but for a moment? 6 Though his pride mount up to the heavens ^job-20-6 and his head reach to the clouds, 7 Yet he perishes forever like the dung he uses for fuel, ^job-20-7 and onlookers say, “Where is he?” 8 Like a dream he takes flight and cannot be found; ^job-20-8 he fades away like a vision of the night. 9 The eye which saw him does so no more; ^job-20-9 nor shall his dwelling again behold him. 10 His sons will restore to the poor, ^job-20-10 and his hands will yield up his riches. 11 Though his bones are full of youthful vigor, ^job-20-11 it shall lie with him in the dust. 12 Though wickedness is sweet in his mouth, ^job-20-12 and he hides it under his tongue, 13 Though he retains it and will not let it go ^job-20-13 but keeps it still within his mouth, 14 Yet in his stomach the food shall turn; ^job-20-14 it shall be venom of asps inside him. 15 The riches he swallowed he shall vomit up; ^job-20-15 God shall make his belly disgorge them. 16 The poison of asps he shall drink in; ^job-20-16 the viper’s fangs shall slay him. 17 He shall see no streams of oil, ^job-20-17 no torrents of honey or milk. 18 He shall give back his gains, never used; ^job-20-18 like his profit from trade, never enjoyed. 19 Because he has oppressed and neglected the poor, ^job-20-19 and stolen a house he did not build; 20 For he has known no quiet in his greed, ^job-20-20 in his treasure he cannot save himself. 21 None of his survivors will consume it, ^job-20-21 therefore his prosperity shall not endure. 22 When he has more than enough, distress shall be his, ^job-20-22 every sort of trouble shall come upon him. 23 When he has filled his belly, ^job-20-23 God shall send against him the fury of his wrath and rain down his missiles upon him. 24 Should he escape an iron weapon, ^job-20-24 a bronze bow shall pierce him through; 25 The dart shall come out of his back, ^job-20-25 a shining point out of his gall-bladder: terrors fall upon him. 26 Complete darkness is in store for his treasured ones; ^job-20-26 a fire unfanned shall consume him; any survivor in his tent shall be destroyed. 27 The heavens shall reveal his guilt, ^job-20-27 and the earth rise up against him. 28 The flood shall sweep away his house, ^job-20-28 torrents in the day of God’s anger. 29 This is the portion of the wicked, ^job-20-29 the heritage appointed him by God. --- \* (20:17) Oil: olive oil, one of the main agricultural products of ancient Palestine, a land proverbially rich in honey and milk; see ([[exodus-03|Ex 3]]:8]; etc. \* (20:29) Zophar ends his lecture in the style of Bildad (cf. [18:19]) with a summary appraisal of what he has been saying about the fate of the wicked. --- a. (20:5) [Jb 21:13]; [Ps 37:35] – [36]. b. (20:7) [Jb 14:10]; [Ps 37:10], [36]. c. (20:10) [Jb 27:14]. d. (20:20) [Eccl 5:9]; ([[luke-12|Lk 12]]:20]. e. (20:22) [Jb 15:20] – [35]. f. (20:26) [Dt 32:22]. g. (20:29) [Jb 27:13]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[job-19|← Previous]] | [[job-00|TOC]] | [[job-21|Next →]]