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?”

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Footnotes

  1. Job 24:18 Or light; or swift
  2. Job 24:18 Lit to the path of
  3. Job 24:19 I.e., the netherworld
  4. Job 24:20 Lit womb
  5. Job 24:21 Lit infertile who does not bear

18 They are scum on the water’s surface;
    their portion of the land is cursed;
    no one walks down a path in the vineyards.
19 Drought and heat steal melted snow,
    just as the underworld[a] steals sinners.
20 The womb forgets them;
    the worm consumes them;
        they aren’t remembered,
        and so wickedness is shattered like a tree.
21 They prey on the barren, the childless,
    do nothing good for the widow.
22 They drag away the strong by force;
    they may get up but without guarantee of survival.
23 They make themselves secure;
        they are at ease.
His[b] eyes are on their ways.
24 They are exalted for a short time, but no longer.
    They are humbled then gathered in like everyone else;
        cut off like heads of grain.
25 If this isn’t so, who can prove me a liar
    and make my words disappear?

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Footnotes

  1. Job 24:19 Heb Sheol
  2. Job 24:23 Or God’s