Job 20, side by side

Two versions of the same chapter. Each row is one verse, so you can see how the wording changes.

Modern

1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:

Classic

1Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

Modern

2“So my anxious thoughts compel me to answer, because of the turmoil within me.

Classic

2Therefore do my thoughts cause me to answer, and for this I make haste.

Modern

3I have heard a rebuke that insults me, and my understanding prompts a reply.

Classic

3I have heard the check of my reproach, and the spirit of my understanding causeth me to answer.

Modern

4Do you not know that from antiquity, since man was placed on the earth,

Classic

4Knowest thou not this of old, since man was placed upon earth,

Modern

5the triumph of the wicked has been brief and the joy of the godless momentary?

Classic

5That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?

Modern

6Though his arrogance reaches the heavens, and his head touches the clouds,

Classic

6Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds;

Modern

7he will perish forever, like his own dung; those who had seen him will ask, ‘Where is he?’

Classic

7Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where is he?

Modern

8He will fly away like a dream, never to be found; he will be chased away like a vision in the night.

Classic

8He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night.

Modern

9The eye that saw him will see him no more, and his place will no longer behold him.

Classic

9The eye also which saw him shall see him no more; neither shall his place any more behold him.

Modern

10His sons will seek the favor of the poor, for his own hands must return his wealth.

Classic

10His children shall seek to please the poor, and his hands shall restore their goods.

Modern

11The youthful vigor that fills his bones will lie down with him in the dust.

Classic

11His bones are full of the sin of his youth, which shall lie down with him in the dust.

Modern

12Though evil is sweet in his mouth and he conceals it under his tongue,

Classic

12Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue;

Modern

13though he cannot bear to let it go and keeps it in his mouth,

Classic

13Though he spare it, and forsake it not; but keep it still within his mouth:

Modern

14yet in his stomach his food sours into the venom of cobras within him.

Classic

14Yet his meat in his bowels is turned, it is the gall of asps within him.

Modern

15He swallows wealth but vomits it out; God will force it from his stomach.

Classic

15He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again: God shall cast them out of his belly.

Modern

16He will suck the poison of cobras; the fangs of a viper will kill him.

Classic

16He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper’s tongue shall slay him.

Modern

17He will not enjoy the streams, the rivers flowing with honey and cream.

Classic

17He shall not see the rivers, the floods, the brooks of honey and butter.

Modern

18He must return the fruit of his labor without consuming it; he cannot enjoy the profits of his trading.

Classic

18That which he laboured for shall he restore, and shall not swallow it down: according to his substance shall the restitution be, and he shall not rejoice therein.

Modern

19For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor; he has seized houses he did not build.

Classic

19Because he hath oppressed and hath forsaken the poor; because he hath violently taken away an house which he builded not;

Modern

20Because his appetite is never satisfied, he cannot escape with his treasure.

Classic

20Surely he shall not feel quietness in his belly, he shall not save of that which he desired.

Modern

21Nothing is left for him to consume; thus his prosperity will not endure.

Classic

21There shall none of his meat be left; therefore shall no man look for his goods.

Modern

22In the midst of his plenty, he will be distressed; the full force of misery will come upon him.

Classic

22In the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits: every hand of the wicked shall come upon him.

Modern

23When he has filled his stomach, God will vent His fury upon him, raining it down on him as he eats.

Classic

23When he is about to fill his belly, God shall cast the fury of his wrath upon him, and shall rain it upon him while he is eating.

Modern

24Though he flees from an iron weapon, a bronze-tipped arrow will pierce him.

Classic

24He shall flee from the iron weapon, and the bow of steel shall strike him through.

Modern

25It is drawn out of his back, the gleaming point from his liver. Terrors come over him.

Classic

25It is drawn, and cometh out of the body; yea, the glittering sword cometh out of his gall: terrors are upon him.

Modern

26Total darkness is reserved for his treasures. A fire unfanned will consume him and devour what is left in his tent.

Classic

26All darkness shall be hid in his secret places: a fire not blown shall consume him; it shall go ill with him that is left in his tabernacle.

Modern

27The heavens will expose his iniquity, and the earth will rise up against him.

Classic

27The heaven shall reveal his iniquity; and the earth shall rise up against him.

Modern

28The possessions of his house will be removed, flowing away on the day of God’s wrath.

Classic

28The increase of his house shall depart, and his goods shall flow away in the day of his wrath.

Modern

29This is the wicked man’s portion from God, the inheritance God has appointed him.”

Classic

29This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the heritage appointed unto him by God.

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