| Chapter 24 |
1 |
Wherefore from the Mighty One Times have not been hidden, And those knowing Him have not seen His days. |
2 |
The borders they reach, A drove they have taken violently away, Yea, they do evil. |
3 |
The ass of the fatherless they lead away, They take in pledge the ox of the widow, |
4 |
They turn aside the needy from the way, Together have hid the poor of the earth. |
5 |
Lo, wild asses in a wilderness, They have gone out about their work, Seeking early for prey, A mixture for himself -- food for young ones. |
6 |
In a field his provender they reap, And the vineyard of the wicked they glean. |
7 |
The naked they cause to lodge Without clothing. And there is no covering in the cold. |
8 |
From the inundation of hills they are wet, And without a refuge -- have embraced a rock. |
9 |
They take violently away From the breast the orphan, And on the poor they lay a pledge. |
10 |
Naked, they have gone without clothing, And hungry -- have taken away a sheaf. |
11 |
Between their walls they make oil, Wine-presses they have trodden, and thirst. |
12 |
Because of enmity men do groan, And the soul of pierced ones doth cry, And God doth not give praise. |
13 |
They have been among rebellious ones of light, They have not discerned His ways, Nor abode in His paths. |
14 |
At the light doth the murderer rise, He doth slay the poor and needy, And in the night he is as a thief. |
15 |
And the eye of an adulterer Hath observed the twilight, Saying, `No eye doth behold me.` And he putteth the face in secret. |
16 |
He hath dug in the darkness -- houses; By day they shut themselves up, They have not known light. |
17 |
When together, morning is to them death shade, When he discerneth the terrors of death shade. |
18 |
Light he is on the face of the waters, Vilified is their portion in the earth, He turneth not the way of vineyards. |
19 |
Drought -- also heat -- consume snow-waters, Sheol those who have sinned. |
20 |
Forget him doth the womb, Sweeten on him doth the worm, No more is he remembered, And broken as a tree is wickedness. |
21 |
Treating evil the barren who beareth not, And to the widow he doth no good, |
22 |
And hath drawn the mighty by his power, He riseth, and none believeth in life. |
23 |
He giveth to him confidence, and he is supported, And his eyes are on their ways. |
24 |
High they were for a little, and they are not, And they have been brought low. As all others they are shut up, And as the head of an ear of corn cut off. |
25 |
And if not now, who doth prove me a liar, And doth make of nothing my word? |