1 "Why doesn't the Almighty bring the wicked to judgment? Why must the godly wait for him in vain? 2 Evil people steal land by moving the boundary markers. They steal livestock and put them in their own pastures. 3 They take the orphan's donkey and demand the widow's ox as security for a loan. 4 The poor are pushed off the path; the needy must hide together for safety. 5 Like wild donkeys in the wilderness, the poor must spend all their time looking for food, searching even in the desert for food for their children. 6 They harvest a field they do not own, and they glean in the vineyards of the wicked. 7 All night they lie naked in the cold, without clothing or covering. 8 They are soaked by mountain showers, and they huddle against the rocks for want of a home. 9 "The wicked snatch a widow's child from her breast, taking the baby as security for a loan. 10 The poor must go about naked, without any clothing. They harvest food for others while they themselves are starving. 11 They press out olive oil without being allowed to taste it, and they tread in the winepress as they suffer from thirst. 12 The groans of the dying rise from the city, and the wounded cry for help, yet God ignores their moaning. 13 "Wicked people rebel against the light. They refuse to acknowledge its ways or stay in its paths. 14 The murderer rises in the early dawn to kill the poor and needy; at night he is a thief. 15 The adulterer waits for the twilight, saying, 'No one will see me then.' He hides his face so no one will know him. 16 Thieves break into houses at night and sleep in the daytime. They are not acquainted with the light. 17 The black night is their morning. They ally themselves with the terrors of the darkness. 18 "But they disappear like foam down a river. Everything they own is cursed, and they are afraid to enter their own vineyards. 19 The grave consumes sinners just as drought and heat consume snow. 20 Their own mothers will forget them. Maggots will find them sweet to eat. No one will remember them. Wicked people are broken like a tree in the storm. 21 They cheat the woman who has no son to help her. They refuse to help the needy widow. 22 "God, in his power, drags away the rich. They may rise high, but they have no assurance of life. 23 They may be allowed to live in security, but God is always watching them. 24 And though they are great now, in a moment they will be gone like all others, cut off like heads of grain. 25 Can anyone claim otherwise? Who can prove me wrong?"
1 "But if Judgment Day isn't hidden from the Almighty, why are we kept in the dark? 2 There are people out there getting by with murder--stealing and lying and cheating. 3 They rip off the poor and exploit the unfortunate, 4 Push the helpless into the ditch, bully the weak so that they fear for their lives. 5 The poor, like stray dogs and cats, scavenge for food in back alleys. 6 They sort through the garbage of the rich, eke out survival on handouts. 7 Homeless, they shiver through cold nights on the street; they've no place to lay their heads. 8 Exposed to the weather, wet and frozen, they huddle in makeshift shelters. 9 Nursing mothers have their babies snatched from them; the infants of the poor are kidnapped and sold. 10 They go about patched and threadbare; even the hard workers go hungry. 11 No matter how back-breaking their labor, they can never make ends meet. 12 People are dying right and left, groaning in torment. The wretched cry out for help and God does nothing, acts like nothing's wrong! 13 "Then there are those who avoid light at all costs, who scorn the light-filled path. 14 When the sun goes down, the murderer gets up--kills the poor and robs the defenseless. 15 Sexual predators can't wait for nightfall, thinking, "No one can see us now.' 16 Burglars do their work at night, but keep well out of sight through the day. They want nothing to do with light. 17 Deep darkness is morning for that bunch; they make the terrors of darkness their companions in crime. 18 "They are scraps of wood floating on the water--useless, cursed junk, good for nothing. 19 As surely as snow melts under the hot, summer sun, sinners disappear in the grave. 20 The womb has forgotten them, worms have relished them--nothing that is evil lasts. 21 Unscrupulous, they prey on those less fortunate. 22 However much they strut and flex their muscles, there's nothing to them. They're hollow. 23 They may have an illusion of security, but God has his eye on them. 24 They may get their brief successes, but then it's over, nothing to show for it. Like yesterday's newspaper, they're used to wrap up the garbage. 25 You're free to try to prove me a liar, but you won't be able to do it." Bildad's Third Attack Even the Stars Aren't Perfect in God's Eyes
1 Why, seeing times are not hidden from the Almighty, do they that know him not see his days? 2 Some remove the landmarks; they violently take away flocks, and feed thereof. 3 They drive away the ass of the fatherless, they take the widow's ox for a pledge. 4 They turn the needy out of the way: the poor of the earth hide themselves together. 5 Behold, as wild asses in the desert, go they forth to their work; rising betimes for a prey: the wilderness yieldeth food for them and for their children. 6 They reap every one his corn in the field: and they gather the vintage of the wicked. 7 They cause the naked to lodge without clothing, that they have no covering in the cold. 8 They are wet with the showers of the mountains, and embrace the rock for want of a shelter. 9 They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge of the poor. 10 They cause him to go naked without clothing, and they take away the sheaf from the hungry; 11 Which make oil within their walls, and tread their winepresses, and suffer thirst. 12 Men groan from out of the city, and the soul of the wounded crieth out: yet God layeth not folly to them. 13 They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof. 14 The murderer rising with the light killeth the poor and needy, and in the night is as a thief. 15 The eye also of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight, saying, No eye shall see me: and disguiseth his face. 16 In the dark they dig through houses, which they had marked for themselves in the daytime: they know not the light. 17 For the morning is to them even as the shadow of death: if one know them, they are in the terrors of the shadow of death. 18 He is swift as the waters; their portion is cursed in the earth: he beholdeth not the way of the vineyards. 19 Drought and heat consume the snow waters: so doth the grave those which have sinned. 20 The womb shall forget him; the worm shall feed sweetly on him; he shall be no more remembered; and wickedness shall be broken as a tree. 21 He evil entreateth the barren that beareth not: and doeth not good to the widow. 22 He draweth also the mighty with his power: he riseth up, and no man is sure of life. 23 Though it be given him to be in safety, whereon he resteth; yet his eyes are upon their ways. 24 They are exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low; they are taken out of the way as all other, and cut off as the tops of the ears of corn. 25 And if it be not so now, who will make me a liar, and make my speech nothing worth?
1 "Since times are not hidden from the Almighty, Why do those who know Him see not His days? 2 "Some remove landmarks; They seize flocks violently and feed on them; 3 They drive away the donkey of the fatherless; They take the widow's ox as a pledge. 4 They push the needy off the road; All the poor of the land are forced to hide. 5 Indeed, like wild donkeys in the desert, They go out to their work, searching for food. The wilderness yields food for them and for their children. 6 They gather their fodder in the field And glean in the vineyard of the wicked. 7 They spend the night naked, without clothing, And have no covering in the cold. 8 They are wet with the showers of the mountains, And huddle around the rock for want of shelter. 9 "Some snatch the fatherless from the breast, And take a pledge from the poor. 10 They cause the poor to go naked, without clothing; And they take away the sheaves from the hungry. 11 They press out oil within their walls, And tread winepresses, yet suffer thirst. 12 The dying groan in the city, And the souls of the wounded cry out; Yet God does not charge them with wrong. 13 "There are those who rebel against the light; They do not know its ways Nor abide in its paths. 14 The murderer rises with the light; He kills the poor and needy; And in the night he is like a thief. 15 The eye of the adulterer waits for the twilight, Saying, "No eye will see me'; And he disguises his face. 16 In the dark they break into houses Which they marked for themselves in the daytime; They do not know the light. 17 For the morning is the same to them as the shadow of death; If someone recognizes them, They are in the terrors of the shadow of death. 18 "They should be swift on the face of the waters, Their portion should be cursed in the earth, So that no one would turn into the way of their vineyards. 19 As drought and heat consume the snow waters, So the grave consumes those who have sinned. 20 The womb should forget him, The worm should feed sweetly on him; He should be remembered no more, And wickedness should be broken like a tree. 21 For he preys on the barren who do not bear, And does no good for the widow. 22 "But God draws the mighty away with His power; He rises up, but no man is sure of life. 23 He gives them security, and they rely on it; Yet His eyes are on their ways. 24 They are exalted for a little while, Then they are gone. They are brought low; They are taken out of the way like all others; They dry out like the heads of grain. 25 "Now if it is not so, who will prove me a liar, And make my speech worth nothing?"
1 "Why are times not stored up by the Almighty, And why do those who know Him not see His days? 2 "Some remove the landmarks; They seize and devour flocks. 3 "They drive away the donkeys of the orphans; They take the widow's ox for a pledge. 4 "They push the needy aside from the road; The poor of the land are made to hide themselves altogether. 5 "Behold, as wild donkeys in the wilderness They go forth seeking food in their activity, As bread for their children in the desert. 6 "They harvest their fodder in the field And glean the vineyard of the wicked. 7 "They spend the night naked, without clothing, And have no covering against the cold. 8 "They are wet with the mountain rains And hug the rock for want of a shelter. 9 "Others snatch the orphan from the breast, And against the poor they take a pledge. 10 "They cause the poor to go about naked without clothing, And they take away the sheaves from the hungry. 11 "Within the walls they produce oil; They tread wine presses but thirst. 12 "From the city men groan, And the souls of the wounded cry out; Yet God does not pay attention to folly. 13 "Others have been with those who rebel against the light; They do not want to know its ways Nor abide in its paths. 14 "The murderer arises at dawn; He kills the poor and the needy, And at night he is as a thief. 15 "The eye of the adulterer waits for the twilight, Saying, 'No eye will see me.' And he disguises his face. 16 "In the dark they dig into houses, They shut themselves up by day; They do not know the light. 17 "For the morning is the same to him as thick darkness, For he is familiar with the terrors of thick darkness. 18 "They are insignificant on the surface of the water; Their portion is cursed on the earth. They do not turn toward the vineyards. 19 "Drought and heat consume the snow waters, So does Sheol those who have sinned. 20 "A mother will forget him; The worm feeds sweetly till he is no longer remembered. And wickedness will be broken like a tree. 21 "He wrongs the barren woman And does no good for the widow. 22 "But He drags off the valiant by His power; He rises, but no one has assurance of life. 23 "He provides them with security, and they are supported; And His eyes are on their ways. 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. 25 "Now if it is not so, who can prove me a liar, And make my speech worthless?"
1 WHY [seeing times are not hidden from the Almighty] does He not set seasons for judgment? Why do those who know Him see not His days [for punishment of the wicked]? 2 Some remove the landmarks; they violently take away flocks and pasture them [appropriating land and flocks openly]. 3 They drive away the donkey of the fatherless; they take the widow's ox for a pledge. 4 They crowd the poor and needy off the road; the poor and meek of the earth all hide themselves. 5 Behold, as wild asses in the desert, [the poor] go forth to their work, seeking diligently for prey and food; the wilderness yields them bread for their children [in roots and herbage]. 6 They reap each one his fodder in a field [that is not his own], and they glean the vintage of the wicked man. 7 They lie all night naked, without clothing, and have no covering in the cold. 8 They are wet with the showers of the mountains and cling to the rock for want of shelter. 9 [The violent men whose wickedness seems unnoticed] pluck the fatherless infants from the breast [to sell or make them slaves], and take [the clothing on] the poor for a pledge, 10 So that the needy go about naked for lack of clothing, and though hungry, they must carry [but not eat from] the sheaves. 11 Among the olive rows [of the wicked, the poor] make oil; they tread [the fresh juice of the grape from] the presses, but suffer thirst. 12 From out of the populous city men groan, and the very life of the wounded cries for help; yet God [seemingly] regards not the wrong done them. 13 These wrongdoers are of those who rebel against the light; they know not its ways nor stay in its paths. 14 The murderer rises with the light; he kills the poor and the needy, and in the night he becomes as a thief. 15 The eye also of the adulterer waits for the twilight, saying, No eye shall see me, and he puts a disguise upon his face. 16 In the dark, they dig through [the penetrable walls of] houses; by day they shut themselves up; they do not know the sunlight. 17 For midnight is morning to all of them; for they are familiar with the terrors of deep darkness. 18 [You say] Swiftly such men pass away on the face of the waters; their portion is cursed in the earth; [no treader] turns into their vineyards. 19 Drought and heat consume the snow waters; so does Sheol (the place of the dead) those who have sinned. 20 The womb shall forget him, the worm shall feed sweetly on him; he shall be no more remembered, and unrighteousness shall be broken like a tree [which cannot be healed]. 21 [The evil man] preys upon the barren, childless woman and does no good to the widow. 22 Yet [God] prolongs the life of the [wicked] mighty by His power; they rise up when they had despaired of life. 23 God gives them security, and they rest on it; and His eyes are upon their ways. 24 They are exalted for a little while, and then are gone and brought low; they are taken out of the way as all others are and are cut off as the tops of the ears of grain. 25 And if this is not so, who will prove me a liar and make my speech worthless?
1 "Why does the Almighty not set times for judgment? Why must those who know him look in vain for such days? 2 Men move boundary stones; they pasture flocks they have stolen. 3 They drive away the orphan's donkey and take the widow's ox in pledge. 4 They thrust the needy from the path and force all the poor of the land into hiding. 5 Like wild donkeys in the desert, the poor go about their labor of foraging food; the wasteland provides food for their children. 6 They gather fodder in the fields and glean in the vineyards of the wicked. 7 Lacking clothes, they spend the night naked; they have nothing to cover themselves in the cold. 8 They are drenched by mountain rains and hug the rocks for lack of shelter. 9 The fatherless child is snatched from the breast; the infant of the poor is seized for a debt. 10 Lacking clothes, they go about naked; they carry the sheaves, but still go hungry. 11 They crush olives among the terraces; they tread the winepresses, yet suffer thirst. 12 The groans of the dying rise from the city, and the souls of the wounded cry out for help. But God charges no one with wrongdoing. 13 "There are those who rebel against the light, who do not know its ways or stay in its paths. 14 When daylight is gone, the murderer rises up and kills the poor and needy; in the night he steals forth like a thief. 15 The eye of the adulterer watches for dusk; he thinks, 'No eye will see me,' and he keeps his face concealed. 16 In the dark, men break into houses, but by day they shut themselves in; they want nothing to do with the light. 17 For all of them, deep darkness is their morning; they make friends with the terrors of darkness. 18 "Yet they are foam on the surface of the water; their portion of the land is cursed, so that no one goes to the vineyards. 19 As heat and drought snatch away the melted snow, so the grave snatches away those who have sinned. 20 The womb forgets them, the worm feasts on them; evil men are no longer remembered but are broken like a tree. 21 They prey on the barren and childless woman, and to the widow show no kindness. 22 But God drags away the mighty by his power; though they become established, they have no assurance of life. 23 He may let them rest in a feeling of security, but his eyes are on their ways. 24 For a little while they are exalted, and then they are gone; they are brought low and gathered up like all others; they are cut off like heads of grain. 25 "If this is not so, who can prove me false and reduce my words to nothing?"
1 "Why are not times of judgment kept by the Almighty, and why do those who know him never see his days? 2 Some move landmarks; they seize flocks and pasture them. 3 They drive away the donkey of the fatherless; they take the widow's ox for a pledge. 4 They thrust the poor off the road; the poor of the earth all hide themselves. 5 Behold, like wild donkeys in the desert the poor go out to their toil, seeking game; the wasteland yields food for their children. 6 They gather their fodder in the field, and they glean the vineyard of the wicked man. 7 They lie all night naked, without clothing, and have no covering in the cold. 8 They are wet with the rain of the mountains and cling to the rock for lack of shelter. 9 (There are those who snatch the fatherless child from the breast, and they take a pledge against the poor.) 10 They go about naked, without clothing; hungry, they carry the sheaves; 11 among the olive rows of the wicked they make oil; they tread the winepresses, but suffer thirst. 12 From out of the city the dying groan, and the soul of the wounded cries for help; yet God charges no one with wrong. 13 "There are those who rebel against the light, who are not acquainted with its ways, and do not stay in its paths. 14 The murderer rises before it is light, that he may kill the poor and needy, and in the night he is like a thief. 15 The eye of the adulterer also waits for the twilight, saying, 'No eye will see me'; and he veils his face. 16 In the dark they dig through houses; by day they shut themselves up; they do not know the light. 17 For deep darkness is morning to all of them; for they are friends with the terrors of deep darkness. 18 "You say, 'Swift are they on the face of the waters; their portion is cursed in the land; no treader turns toward their vineyards. 19 Drought and heat snatch away the snow waters; so does Sheol those who have sinned. 20 The womb forgets them; the worm finds them sweet; they are no longer remembered, so wickedness is broken like a tree.' 21 "They wrong the barren childless woman, and do no good to the widow. 22 Yet God prolongs the life of the mighty by his power; they rise up when they despair of life. 23 He gives them security, and they are supported, and his eyes are upon their ways. 24 They are exalted a little while, and then are gone; they are brought low and gathered up like all others; they are cut off like the heads of grain. 25 If it is not so, who will prove me a liar and show that there is nothing in what I say?"