Job 20
Zophar's Second Response to Job
or
Wicked Ways 2.0
based on Job 20
he will perish forever, like his own dung
Job 20:7
Job 20:7
Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:
I’m disturbed by my thoughts that will not let me be,
I must answer before one more moment goes by.
I’ve endured your rebukes and your insults toward me,
now the spirit within me demands to reply.
Don’t you realize that from the beginning of time,
don’t you know ever since man was placed on this earth,
just how briefly the wicked have savored their crime
before finding how empty their treasure is worth?
Though their pride reaches heights where the heavens are hung,
and their heads touch the clouds in the sky when they soar,
they will vanish forever, just like their own dung,
and the ones who had known them will know them no more.
They will fade like a dream and will never be found;
disappear like a fantasy dreamt in the night.
And the ones who have seen them won’t see them around;
from their family and friends, they are lost from their sight.
Now, their children seek favors and beg from the poor,
giving back wealth acquired by reasons unjust.
They are young, full of hope, with bright futures in store;
yet one day they’ll lie down with their bones in the dust.
How the wicked love evil’s sweet taste on their lips,
and they keep it concealed, melting under their tongue.
They so longingly savor it — careful none drips,
and keep sucking long after the flavor is gone.
Yet their food will turn sour in their stomachs, and then
become poisonous venom of cobras within.
They will vomit the wealth they have swallowed again,
because God will not let them keep riches through sin.
And the poison they swallow is venom of snakes;
in the end, they will die by the fangs of the asp.
They will never enjoy seeing rivers and lakes;
streams of honey and cream always out of their grasp.
They will toil for nothing since all is returned;
and will never enjoy any profit from trade.
They will crush and abandon the poor and the spurned
as they’re seizing the homes the forsaken have made.
No respite for their cravings, no end to their greed;
for the treasures they seek they can never obtain.
Nothing left after gorging their meal — for, indeed
their success and prosperity will not remain.
During seasons of plenty, they will be distressed;
overcome by the force of the wicked’s clenched fists.
While they’re filling their bellies and about to ingest
may God rain down his fury and wrath in their midst.
They will flee lest a weapon of iron attack,
but be pierced by an arrow that’s bronze-tipped instead.
When the blood-covered arrowhead’s pulled from their back,
they’ll be gripped — overwhelmed — by great terrors of dread.
In the darkness their treasures and secrets lay hid;
what is left of their homes, raging fires consume.
Let the heavens reveal all the sins that they did
and the earth rising up, testify to their doom.
Their possessions and houses will all be removed,
swept away by the flood of God’s rage — unrestrained.
Because this is their portion that God has approved,
and the wicked’s inheritance God has ordained.
I must answer before one more moment goes by.
I’ve endured your rebukes and your insults toward me,
now the spirit within me demands to reply.
Don’t you realize that from the beginning of time,
don’t you know ever since man was placed on this earth,
just how briefly the wicked have savored their crime
before finding how empty their treasure is worth?
Though their pride reaches heights where the heavens are hung,
and their heads touch the clouds in the sky when they soar,
they will vanish forever, just like their own dung,
and the ones who had known them will know them no more.
They will fade like a dream and will never be found;
disappear like a fantasy dreamt in the night.
And the ones who have seen them won’t see them around;
from their family and friends, they are lost from their sight.
Now, their children seek favors and beg from the poor,
giving back wealth acquired by reasons unjust.
They are young, full of hope, with bright futures in store;
yet one day they’ll lie down with their bones in the dust.
How the wicked love evil’s sweet taste on their lips,
and they keep it concealed, melting under their tongue.
They so longingly savor it — careful none drips,
and keep sucking long after the flavor is gone.
Yet their food will turn sour in their stomachs, and then
become poisonous venom of cobras within.
They will vomit the wealth they have swallowed again,
because God will not let them keep riches through sin.
And the poison they swallow is venom of snakes;
in the end, they will die by the fangs of the asp.
They will never enjoy seeing rivers and lakes;
streams of honey and cream always out of their grasp.
They will toil for nothing since all is returned;
and will never enjoy any profit from trade.
They will crush and abandon the poor and the spurned
as they’re seizing the homes the forsaken have made.
No respite for their cravings, no end to their greed;
for the treasures they seek they can never obtain.
Nothing left after gorging their meal — for, indeed
their success and prosperity will not remain.
During seasons of plenty, they will be distressed;
overcome by the force of the wicked’s clenched fists.
While they’re filling their bellies and about to ingest
may God rain down his fury and wrath in their midst.
They will flee lest a weapon of iron attack,
but be pierced by an arrow that’s bronze-tipped instead.
When the blood-covered arrowhead’s pulled from their back,
they’ll be gripped — overwhelmed — by great terrors of dread.
In the darkness their treasures and secrets lay hid;
what is left of their homes, raging fires consume.
Let the heavens reveal all the sins that they did
and the earth rising up, testify to their doom.
Their possessions and houses will all be removed,
swept away by the flood of God’s rage — unrestrained.
Because this is their portion that God has approved,
and the wicked’s inheritance God has ordained.
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