Study Desk

Yet he perishes forever like his own refuse; Those who have seen him will say, 'Where is he?'

"The eye which saw him sees him no longer, Neither does his [accustomed] place behold him any longer.

"His sons favor the poor [and pay his obligations], And his hands give back his [ill-gotten] wealth.

"His bones are full of youthful strength But it lies down with him in the dust.

"Though evil and wickedness are sweet in his mouth And he hides it under his tongue,

Though he desires it and will not let it go But holds it in his mouth,

Yet his food turns [to poison] in his stomach; It is the venom of vipers within him.

"He swallows [his ill-gotten] riches, But will vomit them up; God will drive them out of his belly.

"He does not look at the rivers, The flowing streams of honey and butter [to enjoy his wealth].

"He gives back what he has labored for and attained And cannot swallow it [down to enjoy it]; As to the riches of his labor, He cannot even enjoy them.

"Because he knew no quietness or calm within him [because of his greed], He does not retain anything he desires.

"There is nothing left of what he devoured; Therefore his prosperity does not endure.

"In the fullness of his excess (great abundance) he will be in trouble; The hand of everyone who suffers will come against him [he is miserable on every side].

"When he fills his belly, God will send His fierce anger on him And will rain it upon him while he is eating.

"The arrow is drawn forth and it comes out of his back [after passing through his body]; Yes, the glittering point comes out of his gall. Terrors march in upon him;

Complete darkness (misfortune) is held in reserve for his treasures. An unfanned fire will devour him; It will consume the survivor in his tent.

"The heavens will reveal his wickedness and guilt, And the earth will rise up against him.

"The produce and increase of his house will depart [with the victors]; His possessions will be dragged away in the day of God's wrath.

"His bull breeds and does not fail; His cow calves and does not miscarry.

"How often [then] is it that the lamp of the wicked is put out, And that their disaster falls on them? Does God distribute pain and destruction and sorrow [to them] in His anger?