18. What wise men have not hid but have freely communicated; it was told to them by their fathers,
19. Unto whom alone the land was given, and no stranger intruded or passed among them [corrupting the truth].
20. The wicked man suffers with [self-inflicted] torment all his days, through all the years that are numbered and laid up for him, the oppressor.
21. A [dreadful] sound of terrors is in his ears; in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him [the dwellings of robbers are not at peace].
22. He believes that he will not return out of darkness, and [because of his guilt] he is waited for by the sword [of God's vengeance].
23. He wanders abroad for food, saying, Where is it? He knows that the day of darkness and destruction is already close upon him.
24. Distress and anguish terrify him; [he knows] they shall prevail against him, like a king ready for battle.
25. Because he has stretched out his hand against God and bids defiance and behaves himself proudly against the Almighty,
26. Running stubbornly against Him with a thickly ornamented shield;
27. Because he has covered his face with his fat, adding layers of fat on his loins [giving himself up to animal pleasures],
28. And has lived in desolate [God-forsaken] cities and in houses which no man should inhabit, which were destined to become heaps [of ruins];
29. He shall not be rich, neither shall his wealth last, neither shall his produce bend to the earth nor his possessions be extended on the earth.
30. He shall not depart out of darkness [and escape from calamity; the wrath of God] shall consume him as flame consumes a dry tree, and by the blast of His mouth he shall be swept away.
31. Let him not deceive himself and trust in vanity (emptiness, falseness, and futility), for these shall be his recompense [for such living].
32. It shall be accomplished and paid in full while he still lives, and his branch shall not be green [but shall wither away].