Job 24:18-25
Expanded Bible
18 “·They [The wicked] are ·like foam floating [or like scum; L quick] on the water.
Their ·part of the land [lot; portion] is cursed;
no one ·uses the road that goes by [L turns toward] their vineyards. [C This seems to contradict Job’s contention that the wicked escape judgment. Perhaps these are his opponents’ views, or his wish.]
19 As ·heat and dryness [the desert and heat] ·quickly melt the snow [L steal away the snow waters],
so ·the grave [L Sheol] quickly takes away the sinners.
20 ·Their mothers [L The womb] forget them,
and worms ·will eat their bodies [L think they are sweet].
They will not be remembered,
so wickedness is broken in pieces like a ·stick [L tree; C perhaps by wind or lightening; Ps. 29:5–6; Ezek. 17:24].
21 These evil people ·abuse women who cannot have children [or associate with barren women]
·and show no kindness to widows [or which is not favorable to their widow].
22 But God drags away the strong by his power.
Even though they ·seem strong [L rise up], they ·do not know how long they will live [L can have no confidence in life].
23 God may ·let these evil people feel safe [give them security they can lean on],
but ·he is watching [L his eyes are on] their ways.
24 For a little while they are ·important [exalted], and then ·they die [L are no more];
they ·are laid low [or give in] and ·buried [L are gathered/drawn in] like everyone else;
they ·are cut off [or wither] like the heads of grain.
25 If this is not true, who can prove I am ·wrong [L a liar]?
Who can show that my words are worth nothing?”
Job 24:18-25
New American Standard Bible
18 “They are [a](A)insignificant on the surface of the water;
Their plot of land on the earth is (B)cursed.
They do not turn [b]toward the (C)vineyards.
19 Dryness and heat (D)snatch away the snow waters,
As [c](E)Sheol snatches those who have sinned.
20 A [d](F)mother will forget him;
The (G)maggot feeds sweetly until he is (H)no longer remembered.
And injustice will be broken (I)like a tree.
21 He wrongs the [e]infertile woman,
And does no good for (J)the widow.
22 But He drags off the mighty by (K)His power;
He rises, but (L)no one has assurance of life.
23 He provides them (M)with security, and they are supported;
And His (N)eyes are on their ways.
24 They are exalted a (O)little while, then they are gone;
Moreover, they are (P)brought low, and like everything they are gathered up;
Like the heads of grain they wither.
25 Now if it is not so, (Q)who can prove me a liar,
And make my speech worthless?”
The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
