3. I have heard a rebuke that insults me,and my understanding makes me reply.
4. Don’t you know that ever since antiquity,from the time man was placed on earth,
5. the joy of the wicked has been briefand the happiness of the godless has lasted only a moment?
6. Though his arrogance reaches heaven,and his head touches the clouds,
7. he will vanish forever like his own dung.Those who know him will ask, “Where is he? ”
8. He will fly away like a dream and never be found;he will be chased away like a vision in the night.
9. The eye that saw him will see him no more, and his household will no longer see him.
10. His children will beg from the poor,for his own hands must give back his wealth.
11. His bones may be full of youthful vigor,but will lie down with him in the grave.
12. Though evil tastes sweet in his mouthand he conceals it under his tongue,
13. though he cherishes it and will not let it gobut keeps it in his mouth,
14. yet the food in his stomach turnsinto cobras’ venom inside him.
15. He swallows wealth but must vomit it up;God will force it from his stomach.
16. He will suck the poison of cobras;a viper’s fangs will kill him.
17. He will not enjoy the streams,the rivers flowing with honey and cream.