Job 20:16 says, He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper’s tongue shall slay him.  Zophar warns that what had seemed the sweetness of sin would turn into a bitter poison in the end.  No matter how sweet the fruit of sin may taste to a person, it is still deadly, not only to the body, but to the everlasting torment of the soul as well.  Verse seventeen says, He shall not see the rivers, the floods, the brooks of honey and butter.  This was another way of saying that the sinner and hypocrite would not prosper, but we know this is not always the truth in this life, though it is true in the life to come.  Verse eighteen says, That 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.  Basically, Zophar was saying that the sinner would not long enjoy the rewards of his labor.  We may wish that those who profit by dealing unfairly with others would always have their wealth taken away and returned to those they cheated or abused, but it doesn't often happen.  Verse nineteen states, Because he hath oppressed and hath forsaken the poor; because he hath violently taken away an house which he builded not;  This is a continuation of the warning to the wicked, listing some of their sins against others. Zophar said they oppressed the poor and violently took away what the poor had.  Zophar was still applying this to Job and his situation.  Verse twenty says, Surely he shall not feel quietness in his belly, he shall not save of that which he desired.  I believe this was another way of saying that there could be no peace and contentment for the sinner.  If sin always left us dissatisfied, poor and suffering, it would be easy to avoid, but often it is just the opposite at least in worldly terms.  Verse twenty one says, There shall none of his meat be left; therefore shall no man look for his goods.  Once more, this is not always the fate of sinners, but would be if our relationship with God determined our material wealth.  Verse twenty two states, In the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits: every hand of the wicked shall come upon him.  Now it is possible that Zophar was more accurate in this statement.  There will always be those who wish to take what belongs to someone else as their own, but it should not be God's people.  If we as followers of Christ are to have what belongs to another, there will be no doubt that God is giving it to us, and even then it is not to be because we covet what is someone else's.  Verse twenty three declares, When 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.  Zophar, still referring to Job's status really, said that when the sinner became wealthy and felt secure that God would strike him down.  In verse twenty four Zophar states, He shall flee from the iron weapon, and the bow of steel shall strike him through.   I believe he was basically saying there is no escaping the wrath of God, but we know that through Christ we can.  Even our relationship with Christ does not guarantee material success.  Verse twenty five says, It is drawn, and cometh out of the body; yea, the glittering sword cometh out of his gall: terrors are upon him.  Zophar continued to speak of the horror of God's punishment, and saw this as what was happening to Job.  Verse twenty six states, All 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.  I believe that Zophar was saying that even the descendants of sinners would suffer for the sins of a sinner, but we will each be judged for our sins alone.  Verse twenty seven says, The heaven shall reveal his iniquity; and the earth shall rise up against him.  Then, verse twenty eight says, The increase of his house shall depart, and his goods shall flow away in the day of his wrath.  These verses continue Zophar's basing of material wealth on faithfulness to God.  He said those secret inequities, which he felt Job was guilty of, would ultimately lead to material destruction.  Verse twenty nine declares, This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the heritage appointed unto him by God.  Zophar was correct from a spiritual view, but not from just a material one. If we only serve God because we think that is going to bring us material wealth, the we will ultimately be disappointed.  As followers of Christ, we are called on to take up our cross daily.