Zophar: Destruction Awaits the Wicked 1 Brenton Then Sophar the Minæan answered and said, BSB BSB: Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:
2 Brenton I did not suppose that thou wouldest answer thus: neither do ye understand more than I. BSB BSB: “So my anxious thoughts compel me to answer, because of the turmoil within me.
3 Brenton I will hear my shameful reproach; and the spirit of my understanding answers me. BSB BSB: I have heard a rebuke that insults me, and my understanding prompts a reply.
4 Brenton Hast thou not known these things of old, from the time that man was set upon the earth? BSB BSB: Do you not know that from antiquity, since man was placed on the earth,
5 Brenton But the mirth of the ungodly is a signal downfall, and the joy of transgressors is destruction: BSB BSB: the triumph of the wicked has been brief and the joy of the godless momentary?
6 Brenton although his gifts should go up to heaven, and his sacrifice reach the clouds. BSB BSB: Though his arrogance reaches the heavens, and his head touches the clouds,
7 Brenton For when he shall seem to be now established, then he shall utterly perish: and they that knew him shall say, Where is he? BSB BSB: he will perish forever, like his own dung; those who had seen him will ask, ‘Where is he?’
8 Brenton Like a dream that has fled away, he shall not be found; and he has fled like a vision of the night. BSB BSB: He will fly away like a dream, never to be found; he will be chased away like a vision in the night.
9 Brenton The eye has looked upon him, but shall not see him again; and his place shall no longer perceive him. BSB BSB: The eye that saw him will see him no more, and his place will no longer behold him.
10 Brenton Let his inferiors destroy his children, and let his hands kindle the fire of sorrow. BSB BSB: His sons will seek the favor of the poor, for his own hands must return his wealth.
11 Brenton His bones have been filled with vigour of his youth, and it shall lie down with him in the dust. BSB BSB: The youthful vigor that fills his bones will lie down with him in the dust.
12 Brenton Though evil be sweet in his mouth, though he will hide it under his tongue; BSB BSB: Though evil is sweet in his mouth and he conceals it under his tongue,
13 Brenton though he will not spare it, and will not leave it, but will keep it in the midst of his throat: BSB BSB: though he cannot bear to let it go and keeps it in his mouth,
14 Brenton yet he shall not at all be able to help himself; the gall of an asp is in his belly. BSB BSB: yet in his stomach his food sours into the venom of cobras within him.
15 Brenton His wealth unjustly collected shall be vomited up; a messenger of wrath shall drag him out of his house.BSB BSB: He swallows wealth but vomits it out; God will force it from his stomach.
16 Brenton And let him suck the poison of serpents, and let the serpent's tongue slay him. BSB BSB: He will suck the poison of cobras; the fangs of a viper will kill him.
17 Brenton Let him not see the milk of the pastures, nor the supplies of honey and butter. BSB BSB: He will not enjoy the streams, the rivers flowing with honey and cream.
18 Brenton 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. BSB BSB: He must return the fruit of his labor without consuming it; he cannot enjoy the profits of his trading.
19 Brenton For he has broken down the houses of many mighty men: and he has plundered an habitation, though he built it not. BSB BSB: For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor; he has seized houses he did not build.
20 Brenton There is no security to his possessions; he shall not be saved by his desire. BSB BSB: Because his appetite is never satisfied, he cannot escape with his treasure.
21 Brenton There is nothing remaining of his provisions; therefore his goods shall not flourish. BSB BSB: Nothing is left for him to consume; thus his prosperity will not endure.
22 Brenton But when he shall seem to be just satisfied, he shall be straitened; and all distress shall come upon him. BSB BSB: In the midst of his plenty, he will be distressed; the full force of misery will come upon him.
23 Brenton 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. BSB BSB: When he has filled his stomach, God will vent His fury upon him, raining it down on him as he eats.
24 Brenton And he shall by no means escape from the power of the sword; let the brazen bow wound him. BSB BSB: Though he flees from an iron weapon, a bronze-tipped arrow will pierce him.
25 Brenton And let the arrow pierce through his body; and let the stars be against his dwelling-place: let terrors come upon him. BSB BSB: It is drawn out of his back, the gleaming point from his liver. Terrors come over him.
26 Brenton And let all darkness wait for him: a fire that burns not out shall consume him; and let a stranger plague his house. BSB BSB: Total darkness is reserved for his treasures. A fire unfanned will consume him and devour what is left in his tent.
27 Brenton And let the heaven reveal his iniquities, and the earth rise up against him. BSB BSB: The heavens will expose his iniquity, and the earth will rise up against him.
28 Brenton Let destruction bring his house to an end; let a day of wrath come upon him. BSB BSB: The possessions of his house will be removed, flowing away on the day of God’s wrath.
29 Brenton This is the portion of an ungodly man from the Lord, and the possession of his goods appointed him by the all-seeing God . BSB BSB: This is the wicked man’s portion from God, the inheritance God has appointed him.”
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.