1 Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:
because I am greatly disturbed.
and my understanding inspires me to reply.
ever since mankinda was placed on the earth,
the joy of the godless lasts but a moment.
and his head touches the clouds,
those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’
banished like a vision of the night.
his place will look on him no more.
his own hands must give back his wealth.
will lie with him in the dust.
and he hides it under his tongue,
and lets it linger in his mouth,
it will become the venom of serpents within him.
God will make his stomach vomit them up.
the fangs of an adder will kill him.
the rivers flowing with honey and cream.
he will not enjoy the profit from his trading.
he has seized houses he did not build.
he cannot save himself by his treasure.
his prosperity will not endure.
the full force of misery will come upon him.
God will vent his burning anger against him
and rain down his blows on him.
a bronze-tipped arrow pierces him.
the gleaming point out of his liver.
Terrors will come over him;
A fire unfanned will consume him
and devour what is left in his tent.
the earth will rise up against him.
rushing watersb on the day of God’s wrath.
the heritage appointed for them 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.