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18 “They are foam on the surface of the waters.
    Their portion is cursed in the earth.
    They don’t turn into the way of the vineyards.
19 Drought and heat consume the snow waters,
    so does Sheol[a] those who have sinned.
20 The womb will forget him.
    The worm will feed sweetly on him.
    He will be no more remembered.
    Unrighteousness will be broken as a tree.
21 He devours the barren who don’t bear.
    He shows no kindness to the widow.
22 Yet God preserves the mighty by his power.
    He rises up who has no assurance of life.
23 God gives them security, and they rest in it.
    His eyes are on their ways.
24 They are exalted; yet a little while, and they are gone.
    Yes, they are brought low, they are taken out of the way as all others,
    and are cut off as the tops of the ears of grain.
25 If it isn’t so now, who will prove me a liar,
    and make my speech worth nothing?”

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Footnotes

  1. 24:19 Sheol is the place of the dead.

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