Job 20:4-18

4Do you not know this from the old days, Since the time that man was placed on the earth,

5That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless is only for a moment?

6Though his pride reaches the heavens And his head touches the clouds,

7Yet he perishes forever like his own refuse; Those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’

8He flies away like a dream and cannot be found; Yes, he is chased away like a vision of the night.

9The eye which saw him sees him no longer, Neither does his [accustomed] place behold him any longer.

10His sons favor the poor [and pay his obligations], And his hands give back his [ill-gotten] wealth.

11His bones are full of youthful strength But it lies down with him in the dust.

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

13Though he desires it and will not let it go But holds it in his mouth,

14Yet his food turns [to poison] in his stomach; It is the venom of vipers within him.

15He swallows [his ill-gotten] riches, But will vomit them up; God will drive them out of his belly.

16He sucks the poison of vipers [which ill-gotten wealth contains]; The viper’s tongue slays him.

17He does not look at the rivers, The flowing streams of honey and butter [to enjoy his wealth].

18He 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.