微读圣经

Zophar Says, “The Triumph of the Wicked Is Short”

1Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said,

2“Therefore my disquieting thoughts make me answer,

Because of the uneasiness that is within me.

3I have heard the reproof which insults me,

But the spirit of my understanding makes me answer.

4Do you not know this from the old days,

Since the time that man was placed on the earth,

5That the triumphing of the wicked is short,

And the joy of the godless is only for a moment?

6Though his pride reaches the heavens

And his head touches the clouds,

7 Yet he perishes forever like his own refuse;

Those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’

8He flies away like a dream and cannot be found;

Yes, he is chased away like a vision of the night.

9The eye which saw him sees him no longer,

Neither does his [accustomed] place behold him any longer.

10His sons favor the poor [and pay his obligations],

And his hands give back his [ill-gotten] wealth.

11His bones are full of youthful strength

But it lies down with him in the dust.

12“Though evil and wickedness are sweet in his mouth

And he hides it under his tongue,

13Though he desires it and will not let it go

But holds it in his mouth,

14 Yet his food turns [to poison] in his stomach;

It is the venom of vipers within him.

15He swallows [his ill-gotten] riches,

But will vomit them up;

God will drive them out of his belly.

16He sucks the poison of vipers [which ill-gotten wealth contains];

The viper’s tongue slays him.

17He does not look at the rivers,

The flowing streams of honey and butter [to enjoy his wealth].

18He gives back what he has labored for and attained

And cannot swallow it [down to enjoy it];

As to the riches of his labor,

He cannot even enjoy them.

19For he has oppressed and neglected the poor;

He has violently taken away houses which he did not build.

20“Because he knew no quietness or calm within him [because of his greed],

He does not retain anything he desires.

21There is nothing left of what he devoured;

Therefore his prosperity does not endure.

22In the fullness of his excess (great abundance) he will be in trouble;

The hand of everyone who suffers will come against him [he is miserable on every side].

23When he fills his belly,

God will send His fierce anger on him

And will rain it upon him while he is eating.

24He may flee from the iron weapon,

But the bow of bronze will pierce him through.

25 The arrow is drawn forth and it comes out of his back [after passing through his body];

Yes, the glittering point comes out of his gall.

Terrors march in upon him;

26Complete darkness (misfortune) is held in reserve for his treasures.

An unfanned fire will devour him;

It will consume the survivor in his tent.

27The heavens will reveal his wickedness and guilt,

And the earth will rise up against him.

28The produce and increase of his house will depart [with the victors];

His possessions will be dragged away in the day of God’s wrath.

29This is the wicked man’s portion from God,

And the heritage decreed and appointed to him by God.”