> [[job-23|← Previous]] | [[job-00|TOC]] | [[job-25|Next →]] --- # Job, Chapter 24 ## Chapter 24 1 Why are times not set by the Almighty, ^job-24-1 and why do his friends not see his days? 2 People remove landmarks; ^job-24-2 they steal herds and pasture them. 3 The donkeys of orphans they drive away; ^job-24-3 they take the widow’s ox for a pledge. 4 They force the needy off the road; ^job-24-4 all the poor of the land are driven into hiding. 5 Like wild donkeys in the wilderness, ^job-24-5 they go forth to their task of seeking prey; the steppe provides food for their young; 6 They harvest fodder in the field, ^job-24-6 and glean in the vineyard of the wicked. 7 They pass the night naked, without clothing; ^job-24-7 they have no covering against the cold; 8 They are drenched with rain from the mountains, ^job-24-8 and for want of shelter they cling to the rock. 9 Orphans are snatched from the breast, ^job-24-9 infants of the needy are taken in pledge. 10 They go about naked, without clothing, ^job-24-10 and famished, they carry the sheaves. 11 Between the rows they press out the oil; ^job-24-11 they tread the wine presses, yet are thirsty. 12 In the city the dying groan, ^job-24-12 and the souls of the wounded cry out. Yet God does not treat it as a disgrace! 13 They are rebels against the light: ^job-24-13 they do not recognize its ways; they do not stay in its paths. 14 When there is no light the murderer rises, ^job-24-14 to kill the poor and needy; in the night he acts like a thief. 15 The eye of the adulterer watches for the twilight; ^job-24-15 he says, “No eye will see me.” He puts a mask over his face; 16 in the dark he breaks into houses; ^job-24-16 By day they shut themselves in; they do not know the light. 17 Indeed, for all of them morning is deep darkness; ^job-24-17 then they recognize the terrors of deep darkness. 18 He is swift on the surface of the water: ^job-24-18 their portion in the land is accursed, they do not turn aside by way of the vineyards. 19 Drought and heat snatch away the snow waters, ^job-24-19 Sheol, those who have sinned. 20 May the womb forget him, ^job-24-20 may the worm find him sweet, may he no longer be remembered; And may wickedness be broken like a tree. 21 May his companion be barren, unable to give birth, ^job-24-21 may his widow not prosper! 22 He sustains the mighty by his strength, ^job-24-22 to him who rises without assurance of his life 23 he gives safety and support, ^job-24-23 and his eyes are on their ways. 24 They are exalted for a while, and then are no more; ^job-24-24 laid low, like everyone else they are gathered up; like ears of grain they shrivel. 25 If this be not so, who can make me a liar, ^job-24-25 and reduce my words to nothing? --- \* (24:1) After his failure to find God, Job takes up the question: Why does God not favor his friends by the speedy punishment of his enemies? \* (24:9) This verse continues the description of the plight of the poor in vv. [2] – [4], and may belong there. \* (24:10) This verse is a variant of v. [7], and may be an erroneous scribal repetition. \* (24:18] – [24) These verses are inconsistent with Job’s views elsewhere. Moreover, they are in general poorly preserved, and in some cases obscure. \* (24:22) He: God. --- a. (24:13) [Jn 3:19] – [20]. b. (24:15) [Prv 7:9] – [10]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[job-23|← Previous]] | [[job-00|TOC]] | [[job-25|Next →]]