18 They float[a] on the surface of the water.
Their section of the land is cursed,
so that they never go to their vineyards.
19 As dry ground and heat snatch away the melted snow,
so Sheol(A) steals those who have sinned.
20 The womb forgets them;
worms feed on them;
they are remembered(B) no more.
So injustice is broken like a tree.
21 They prey on[b] the childless woman who is unable to conceive,
and do not deal kindly with the widow.
22 Yet God drags away[c] the mighty by his power;
when he rises up, they have no assurance of life.
23 He gives them a sense of security, so they can rely on it,(C)
but his eyes(D) watch over their ways.
24 They are exalted for a moment, then gone;
they are brought low and shrivel up like everything else.[d]
They wither like heads of grain.(E)

25 If this is not true, then who can prove me a liar(F)
and show that my speech is worthless?

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Footnotes

  1. 24:18 Lit are insignificant
  2. 24:21 LXX, Tg read They harm
  3. 24:22 Or God prolongs the life of
  4. 24:24 LXX reads like a mallow plant in the heat

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