The Tanakh · JPS 1917 Translation

Job 24

Jewish Publication Society 1917 · Ketuvim — the Writings

Job chapter 24 — part of the Ketuvim — the Writings in the Jewish Bible. In the classic JPS 1917 translation it opens: “Why are times not laid up by the Almighty? And why do not they that know Him see His days?” — the complete text of all 25 verses is below, free to read online.

1Why are times not laid up by the Almighty? And why do not they that know Him see His days?

2There are that remove the landmarks; they violently take away flocks, and feed them.

3They drive away the ass of the fatherless, they take the widow's ox for a pledge.

4They turn the needy out of the way; the poor of the earth hide themselves together.

5Behold, as wild asses in the wilderness they go forth to their work, seeking diligently for food; the desert yieldeth them bread for their children.

6They cut his provender in the field; and they despoil the vineyard of the wicked.

7They lie all night naked without clothing, and have no covering in the cold.

8They are wet with the showers of the mountains, and embrace the rock for want of a shelter.

9There are that pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge of the poor;

10So that they go about naked without clothing, and being hungry they carry the sheaves;

11They make oil within the rows of these men; they tread their winepresses, and suffer thirst.

12From out of the populous city men groan, and the soul of the wounded crieth out; yet G-d imputeth it not for unseemliness.

13These are of them that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof.

14The murderer riseth with the light, to kill the poor and needy; and in the night he is as a thief.

15The eye also of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight, saying: 'No eye shall see me'; and he putteth a covering on his face.

16In the dark they dig through houses; they shut themselves up in the day-time; they know not the light.

17For the shadow of death is to all of them as the morning; for they know the terrors of the shadow of death.

18He is swift upon the face of the waters; their portion is cursed in the earth; he turneth not by the way of the vineyards.

19Drought and heat consume the snow waters; so doth the nether-world those that have sinned.

20The womb forgetteth him; the worm feedeth sweetly on him; he shall be no more remembered; and unrighteousness is broken as a tree.

21He devoureth the barren that beareth not; and doeth not good to the widow.

22He draweth away the mighty also by his power; he riseth up, and he trusteth not his own life.

23Though it be given him to be in safety, whereon he resteth, yet His eyes are upon their ways.

24They are exalted for a little while, and they are gone; yea, they are brought low, they are gathered in as all others, and wither as the tops of the ears of corn.

25And if it be not so now, who will prove me a liar, and make my speech nothing worth?

25 verses · JPS 1917 (public domain)

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