Job 20 Comparison: American Standard Version vs Berean Study Bible
Job 20
1Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
2Therefore do my thoughts give answer to me, Even by reason of my haste that is in me.
3I have heard the reproof which putteth me to shame; And the spirit of my understanding answereth me.
4Knowest thou notthis of old time, Since man was placed upon earth,
5That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless but for a moment?
6Though his height mount up to the heavens, And his head reach unto the clouds;
7Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: They that have seen him shall say, Where is he?
8He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: Yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night.
9The eye which saw him shall see him no more; Neither shall his place any more behold him.
10His children shall seek the favor of the poor, And his hands shall give back his wealth.
11His bones are full of his youth, But it shall lie down with him in the dust.
12Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, Though he hide it under his tongue,
13Though he spare it, and will not let it go, But keep it still within his mouth;
14Yet his food in his bowels is turned, It is the gall of asps within him.
15He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again; God will cast them out of his belly.
16He shall suck the poison of asps: The viper’s tongue shall slay him.
17He shall not look upon the rivers, The flowing streams of honey and butter.
18That which he labored for shall he restore, and shall not swallow it down; According to the substance that he hath gotten, he shall not rejoice.
19For he hath oppressed and forsaken the poor; He hath violently taken away a house, and he shall not build it up.
20Because he knew no quietness within him, He shall not save aught of that wherein he delighteth.
21There was nothing left that he devoured not; Therefore his prosperity shall not endure.
22In the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits: The hand of every one that is in misery shall come upon him.
23When he is about to fill his belly, Godwill cast the fierceness of his wrath upon him, And will rain it upon him while he is eating.
24He shall flee from the iron weapon, And the bow of brass shall strike him through.
25He draweth it forth, and it cometh out of his body; Yea, the glittering point cometh out of his gall: Terrors are upon him.
26All darkness is laid up for his treasures: A fire not blown by man shall devour him; It shall consume that which is left in his tent.
27The heavens shall reveal his iniquity, And the earth shall rise up against him.
28The increase of his house shall depart; His goodsshall flow away in the day of his wrath.
29This is the portion of a wicked man from God, And the heritage appointed unto him by God.
Job 20
1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:
2“So my anxious thoughts compel me to answer, because of the turmoil within me.
3I have heard a rebuke that insults me, and my understanding prompts a reply.
4Do you not know that from antiquity, since man was placed on the earth,
5the triumph of the wicked has been brief and the joy of the godless momentary?
6Though his arrogance reaches the heavens, and his head touches the clouds,
7he will perish forever, like his own dung; those who had seen him will ask, ‘Where is he?’
8He will fly away like a dream, never to be found; he will be chased away like a vision in the night.
9The eye that saw him will see him no more, and his place will no longer behold him.
10His sons will seek the favor of the poor, for his own hands must return his wealth.
11The youthful vigor that fills his bones will lie down with him in the dust.
12Though evil is sweet in his mouth and he conceals it under his tongue,
13though he cannot bear to let it go and keeps it in his mouth,
14yet in his stomach his food sours into the venom of cobras within him.
15He swallows wealth but vomits it out; God will force it from his stomach.
16He will suck the poison of cobras; the fangs of a viper will kill him.
17He will not enjoy the streams, the rivers flowing with honey and cream.
18He must return the fruit of his labor without consuming it; he cannot enjoy the profits of his trading.
19For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor; he has seized houses he did not build.
20Because his appetite is never satisfied, he cannot escape with his treasure.
21Nothing is left for him to consume; thus his prosperity will not endure.
22In the midst of his plenty, he will be distressed; the full force of misery will come upon him.
23When he has filled his stomach, God will vent His fury upon him, raining it down on him as he eats.
24Though he flees from an iron weapon, a bronze-tipped arrow will pierce him.
25It is drawn out of his back, the gleaming point from his liver. Terrors come over him.
26Total darkness is reserved for his treasures. A fire unfanned will consume him and devour what is left in his tent.
27The heavens will expose his iniquity, and the earth will rise up against him.
28The possessions of his house will be removed, flowing away on the day of God’s wrath.
29This is the wicked man’s portion from God, the inheritance God has appointed him.”
Understanding American Standard Version vs Berean Study Bible in Job 20
American Standard Version (ASV)
A highly literal translation known for accuracy and adherence to the original Hebrew and Greek. Consistent word choices make it excellent for careful study and cross-referencing. A strong pick for readers who want a precise, classic-modern English Bible.
Berean Study Bible (BSB)
A modern translation balancing readability with faithfulness to the original texts. Written in clear, contemporary English for both reading and study. A strong all-around choice for daily use.
You are viewing a side-by-side comparison of Job 20 in the American Standard Version and Berean Study Bible. Comparing these two versions can help shed light on the nuances of the original text.
Key Comparison: Job 20:16
"He shall suck the poison of asps: The viper’s tongue shall slay him."
"He will suck the poison of cobras; the fangs of a viper will kill him."
