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18 “Swift are they on the face of the waters;
    their portion in the land is cursed;
    no treader turns toward their vineyards.(A)
19 Drought and heat snatch away the snow waters;
    so does Sheol those who have sinned.(B)
20 The womb forgets them;
    the worm finds them sweet;
they are no longer remembered,
    so wickedness is broken like a tree.(C)

21 “They harm[a] the childless woman
    and do no good to the widow.(D)
22 Yet God[b] prolongs the life of the mighty by his power;
    they rise up when they despair of life.(E)
23 He gives them security, and they are supported;
    his eyes are upon their ways.(F)
24 They are exalted a little while and then are gone;
    they wither and fade like the mallow;[c]
    they are cut off like the heads of grain.(G)
25 If it is not so, who will prove me a liar
    and show that there is nothing in what I say?”

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Footnotes

  1. 24.21 Gk Tg: Heb feed on or associate with
  2. 24.22 Heb he
  3. 24.24 Gk: Heb like all others

Social Injustice will Be Punished

18 “They remain only a short time on the water’s surface;
    their inheritance will be cursed in the land;
        no one will work in their vineyards.
19 As drought and heat evaporate melting snow,
    that’s what Sheol[a] does with sinners.
20 The womb will forget them.
    Maggots will find them to be a delicacy!
They won’t be remembered anymore,
    their iniquity will be cut to pieces like firewood.[b]

21 “They prey on the barren woman,
    and do no favors for widows.
22 God[c] prolongs the life of the strong by his power,
    but they get up in the morning[d] without purpose in life.
23 He gives them security and financial support,
    but he watches everything they do.
24 They’re exalted momentarily, but then they are gone;
    they are humbled,[e] just like all the others.
        They are cut down like heads of corn.
25 If this weren’t so, who can prove that I’m a liar
    by showing that there’s nothing to what I’m saying?”

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Footnotes

  1. Job 24:19 I.e. the realm of the afterlife
  2. Job 24:20 Lit. like a tree
  3. Job 24:22 Lit. He
  4. Job 24:22 The Heb. lacks in the morning
  5. Job 24:24 Or brought low