1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered,
Even because of my inward agitation.
And the spirit of my understanding makes me answer.
From the establishment of man on earth,
And the joy of the godless momentary?
And his head touches the clouds,
Those who have seen him will say, Where is he?’
Even like a vision of the night he is chased away.
And his place no longer beholds him.
And his hands give back his wealth.
But it lies down with him in the dust.
And he hides it under his tongue,
But holds it in his mouth,
To the venom of cobras within him.
But will vomit them up;
God will expel them from his belly.
The viper’s tongue slays him.
The rivers flowing with honey and curds.
And cannot swallow it;
As to the riches of his trading,
He cannot even enjoy them.
He has seized a house which he has not built.
He does not retain anything he desires.
Therefore his prosperity does not endure.
The hand of everyone who suffers will come against him.
God will send His fierce anger on him
And will rain it on him while he is eating.
But the bronze bow will pierce him.
Even the glittering point from his gall.
Terrors come upon him,
And unfanned fire will devour him;
It will consume the survivor in his tent.
And the earth will rise up against him.
His possessions will flow away in the day of His anger.
Even the heritage decreed to him by God.”
20:1−29 Гл. 20 представляет собой еще одно изложение учения о неизбежной расплате грешников и нечестивых за совершенные злодеяния. В ней Софар излагает истину о нравственном начале, положенном в основу Божиего управления миром. Однако эта истина остается вне данной конкретной ситуации.
20:2 побуждают меня отвечать. Заключительные слова Иова в 19:28−29 не остались незамеченными Софаром.
20:29 Вот удел человеку беззаконному от Бога. То, чему учит Софар, в конце концов произойдет, но, к сожалению, у него не нашлось слов о милосердии Божием. Даже в своей предыдущей речи (11:13−20), в которой он призывал Иова изменить образ жизни, Софар ни разу не упомянул о милосердии. Следуя Софару, благословение Божие можно только заслужить.