24:1  "Why are times not stored up by the Almighty, And why do those who know Him not see His days?

24:2  "Some remove the landmarks; They seize and devour flocks.

24:3  "They drive away the donkeys of the orphans; They take the widow's ox for a pledge.

24:4  "They push the needy aside from the road; The poor of the land are made to hide themselves altogether.

24:5  "Behold, as wild donkeys in the wilderness They go forth seeking food in their activity, As bread for {their} children in the desert.

24:6  "They harvest their fodder in the field And glean the vineyard of the wicked.

24:7  "They spend the night naked, without clothing, And have no covering against the cold.

24:8  "They are wet with the mountain rains And hug the rock for want of a shelter.

24:9  "Others snatch the orphan from the breast, And against the poor they take a pledge.

24:10  "They cause {the poor} to go about naked without clothing, And they take away the sheaves from the hungry.

24:11  "Within the walls they produce oil; They tread wine presses but thirst.

24:12  "From the city men groan, And the souls of the wounded cry out; Yet God does not pay attention to folly.

24:13  "Others have been with those who rebel against the light; They do not want to know its ways Nor abide in its paths.

24:14  "The murderer arises at dawn; He kills the poor and the needy, And at night he is as a thief.

24:15  "The eye of the adulterer waits for the twilight, Saying, `No eye will see me.' And he disguises his face.

24:16  "In the dark they dig into houses, They shut themselves up by day; They do not know the light.

24:17  "For the morning is the same to him as thick darkness, For he is familiar with the terrors of thick darkness.

24:18  "They are insignificant on the surface of the water; Their portion is cursed on the earth. They do not turn toward the vineyards.

24:19  "Drought and heat consume the snow waters, {So does} Sheol {those who} have sinned.

24:20  "A mother will forget him; The worm feeds sweetly till he is no longer remembered. And wickedness will be broken like a tree.

24:21  "He wrongs the barren woman And does no good for the widow.

24:22  "But He drags off the valiant by His power; He rises, but no one has assurance of life.

24:23  "He provides them with security, and they are supported; And His eyes are on their ways.

24:24  "They are exalted a little while, then they are gone; Moreover, they are brought low and like everything gathered up; Even like the heads of grain they are cut off.

24:25  "Now if it is not so, who can prove me a liar, And make my speech worthless?"