24
1 “For this reason from the Mighty One || Times have not been hidden, || And those knowing Him have not seen His days. 2 They reach the borders, || They have taken a drove away violently, || Indeed, they do evil. 3 They lead away the donkey of the fatherless, || They take in pledge the ox of the widow, 4 They turn aside the needy from the way, || Together have hid the poor of the earth. 5 Behold, wild donkeys in a wilderness, || They have gone out about their work, || Seeking early for prey, || A mixture for himself—food for young ones. 6 They reap his provender in a field, || And they glean the vineyard of the wicked. 7 They cause the naked to lodge without clothing. And there is no covering in the cold. 8 From the inundation of hills they are wet, || And without a refuge—have embraced a rock. 9 They take away violently || The orphan from the breast, || And they lay a pledge on the poor. 10 Naked, they have gone without clothing, || And hungry—have taken away a sheaf. 11 They make oil between their walls, || They have trodden winepresses, and thirst. 12 Men groan because of enmity, || And the soul of pierced ones cries, || And God does not give praise. 13 They have been those rebelling against light, || They have not discerned His ways, || Nor abided in His paths. 14 The murderer rises at the light, || He slays the poor and needy, || And in the night he is as a thief. 15 And the eye of an adulterer || Has observed the twilight, || Saying, No eye beholds me. And he puts the face in secret. 16 He has dug in the darkness—houses; By day they shut themselves up, || They have not known light. 17 When together, morning [is] death-shade to them, || When he discerns the terrors of death-shade. 18 He [is] light on the face of the waters, || Their portion is vilified in the earth, || He does not turn the way of vineyards. 19 Drought—also heat—consume snow-waters, || Sheol—[those who] have sinned. 20 The womb forgets him, || The worm sweetens [on] him, || He is remembered no more, || And wickedness is broken as a tree. 21 Treating evil the barren [who] does not bear, || And he does no good [to] the widow, 22 And [God] has drawn the mighty by His power, || He rises, and none believes in life. 23 He gives to him confidence, and he is supported, || And His eyes [are] on their ways. 24 They were high [for] a little, and they are not, || And they have been brought low. They are shut up as all [others], || And cut off as the head of an ear of grain. 25 And if not now, who proves me a liar, || And makes my word of nothing?”