1. Zophar from Naamah said:
2. Your words are disturbing;now I must speak.
3. You have accusedand insulted me,and reason requires a reply.
4. Since the time of creation,everyone has known
5. that sinful people are happyfor only a while.
6. Though their pride and powermay reach to the sky,
7. they will disappear like dust,and those who knew themwill wonder what happened.
8. They will be forgottenlike a dream
9. and vanish from the sightof family and friends.
10. Their children will have to repaywhat the parents tookfrom the poor.
11. Indeed, the wicked will dieand go to their gravesin the prime of life.
12. Sinners love the taste of sin;they relish every bite
13. and swallow it slowly.
14. But their food will turn sourand poison their stomachs.
15. Then God will make them losethe wealth they gobbled up.
16. They will die from the fangsof poisonous snakes
17. and never enjoy rivers flowingwith milk and honey.
18. Their hard work will resultin nothing gained,