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Then Zophar the Minaean answered and said,
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I did not suppose that thou wouldest answer thus: Neither do ye understand more than I.
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I will hear my shameful reproach; And the spirit of my understanding answers me.
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Hast thou not known these things of old, From the time that man was set upon the earth?
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But the mirth of the ungodly is a signal downfall, And the joy of transgressors is destruction:
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Although his gifts should go up to heaven, And his sacrifice reach the clouds.
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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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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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The eye has looked upon him, but shall not see him again; And his place shall no longer perceive him.
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Let his inferiors destroy his children, And let his hands kindle the fire of sorrow.
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His bones have been filled with vigor of his youth, And it shall lie down with him in the dust.
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Though evil be sweet in his mouth, Though he will hide it under his tongue;
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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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Yet he shall not at all be able to help himself; The gall of an asp is in his belly.
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His wealth unjustly collected shall be vomited up; A messenger of wrath shall drag him out of his house.
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And let him suck the poison of serpents, And let the serpent’s tongue slay him.
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Let him not see the milk of the pastures, Nor the supplies of honey and butter.
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He has labored 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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For he has broken down the houses of many mighty men: And he has plundered a habitation, though he built it not.
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There is no security to his possessions; He shall not be saved by his desire.
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There is nothing remaining of his provisions; Therefore his goods shall not flourish.
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But when he shall seem to be just satisfied, he shall be straitened; And all distress shall come upon him.
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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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And he shall by no means escape from the power of the sword; Let the brazen bow wound him.
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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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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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And let the heaven reveal his iniquities, And the earth rise up against him.
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Let destruction bring his house to an end; Let a day of wrath come upon him.
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This is the portion of an ungodly man from the Lord, And the possession of his goods appointed him by the all-seeing God.