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Don’t you know this from old time,
    since man was placed on earth,
that the triumphing of the wicked is short,
    the joy of the godless but for a moment?
Though his height mount up to the heavens,
    and his head reach to the clouds,
yet he will perish forever like his own dung.
    Those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’
He will fly away as a dream, and will not be found.
    Yes, he will be chased away like a vision of the night.
The eye which saw him will see him no more,
    neither will his place see him any more.
10 His children will seek the favor of the poor.
    His hands will give back his wealth.
11 His bones are full of his youth,
    but youth will lie down with him in the dust.

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Destruction Awaits the Wicked

“Haven’t you known this from ancient times,
    since mankind was placed on the earth?
The wicked triumph only briefly;
    the joy of the godless is momentary.
Though he grow as tall as the sky,
    or though his head touches the clouds,
he’ll perish forever, like his own excrement;
    those who saw him will ask, ‘Where is he?’
He’ll vanish[a] like a dream, and no one will find him;
    he will be chased away like a night vision.”

“An eye that gazes at him won’t do so again;
    and his place won’t even recognize him.
10 His sons will make amends to the poor;
    their hands will return his wealth.
11 Though his bones were full of youthful vigor;
    yet they will lie down with him in the dust.

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Footnotes

  1. Job 20:8 Lit. He’ll fly away