Job
Summary
Job Chapter 20 is Zophar the Naamathite’s second speech, where he responds with "agitation" to Job's earlier warnings. Zophar argues that the triumph of the wicked is brief and their joy lasts only a moment. He describes how the wicked man might "swallow down riches" but will eventually vomit them up, as God makes him pay for his oppression of the poor. Zophar’s imagery is visceral, speaking of the "gall of vipers" and a "glittering sword" piercing the liver. He insists that the heavens will reveal the wicked man’s iniquity and the earth will rise up against him. This speech reinforces the friends' rigid view of divine retribution.
Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:
"My troubled thoughts prompt me to answer because I am so greatly agitated."
"I hear a rebuke that dishonours me, and my understanding impels me to reply."
"Surely you know how it has been from of old, ever since mankind was placed on the earth,"
"that the mirth of the wicked is brief, the joy of the godless lasts but a moment."
"Though his pride reaches to the heavens and his head touches the clouds,"
"he will perish for ever, like his own waste; those who have seen him will say, 'Where is he?'"
"Like a dream he flies away, no more to be found, banished like a vision of the night."
"The eye that saw him will not see him again; his place will look on him no more."
"His children must make amends to the poor; his own hands must give back his wealth."
"The youthful vigour that fills his bones will lie with him in the dust."
"Though wickedness is sweet in his mouth and he hides it under his tongue,"
"though he cannot bear to let it go and keeps it in his mouth,"
"yet his food will turn sour in his stomach; it will become the venom of vipers within him."
"He will vomit up the riches he swallowed; God will make his stomach cast them out."
"He will suck the poison of vipers; the fangs of an adder will kill him."
"He will not enjoy the streams, the rivers flowing with honey and cream."
"What he laboured for he must give back uneaten; he will not enjoy the profit from his trading."
"For he has oppressed the poor and left them destitute; he has seized houses he did not build."
"Surely he will have no respite from his craving; he cannot save himself by his treasure."
"Nothing is left for him to devour; his prosperity will not endure."
"In the midst of his plenty, distress will overtake him; the full force of misery will come upon him."
"When he has filled his belly, God will vent his burning anger against him and rain it down on him while he is eating."
"Though he flees from an iron weapon, a bronze-tipped arrow pierces him."
He pulls it out, and it comes out of his back; the gleaming point comes out of his gallbladder. Terrors come upon him.
"total darkness lies in wait for his treasures. A fire unfanned will consume him and devour what is left in his tent."
"The heavens will expose his guilt; the earth will rise up against him."
"A flood will carry off his house, rushing waters on the day of God’s wrath."
"Such is the fate God allots the wicked, the heritage appointed for them by God."