Job 24
1BUT why have certain times escaped the notice of the Lord,
2when the wicked transgressed all bounds and ravaged both the flock and the shepherd?
3They have driven away the ass of the fatherless; and taken the widow’s cow for a pledge.
4They have turned the weak out of the right way; and with one accord the meek of the earth have hid,
5and are gone away like asses in a field. They are departed beyond me in their own band. His bread is sweet to his little ones.
6They have reaped before dawn a field not their own; exhausted of strength, have worked the vineyards of the wicked without wages and without food.
7They [the wicked] have caused many to sleep naked without covering—they have stripped them of clothing necessary for life.
8These are wet with the dew of the mountains: and having no shelter, they cling to a rock.
9They have torn the orphan from the breast: and him who had fallen they have pressed down.
10They have by injustice caused some to be naked; and robbed the hungry of their morsel.
11They have entrapped some unjustly in straits, and the path of justice they did not know.
12Some are expelled from the city and their own houses: and the soul of babes heave heavy groans.
13Now why hath He not called these to account while on earth? Though they did not acknowledge—though they did not know the way of justice; did they not still go on in their courses?
14And hath He who knew their works delivered them up to darkness? And will He be as a thief in the night?
15When the eye of the adulterer watched for darkness; saying, No eye shall discover me—when he having put a mask on his face
16digged through houses in the dark: (during the day they had shut themselves up—they had no acquaintance with light)
17because the morning is to all these as the shadow of death—because the terror of the shadow of death should acknowledge them;
18it is swift on the face of the water. The portion of these on the earth should be cursed
19and their plants exposed dry on the ground: for they plundered the sheaf of orphans.
20Now was such a one’s sin brought to remembrance? Though he was dark as the darkness of night; retribution should be made for what he hath done: and every wicked man should be broken, like a tree which cannot be healed.
21Because he did not treat the barren with tenderness, and had no compassion for a poor weak woman.
22But overthrew the helpless with wrath: therefore when he riseth he should have no security for his own life:
23when sick, he should have no hopes of recovery: but should perish by his disorder.
24As his exaltation afflicted many: he should wither like mallows by heat: or like an ear of corn which fell of itself from the stalk.
25Now if this is not the case, who can say I have spoken falsehoods: and set my words at naught?