CLV(i)
1 For what reason have times for judgment not been set aside by Him Who Suffices, And why do those knowing Him not perceive His days?
2 The wicked move away boundary markers; They pillage the drove and openly graze them.
3 The orphans donkey they lead away; They take the widow's bull as a pledge.
4 They turn aside the needy from the way; The humble of the earth must hide together.
5 Behold, like onagers in the wilderness They go forth early for prey, In their contriving until the evening; Yet no nourishment for their youths!"
6 They reap in the field at night, And they scavenge in the vineyard of the wicked.
7 Naked, they lodge at night without clothing, And they have no covering for the cold.
8 They are doused by the mountain storm, And without a refuge they hug to a rock.
9 Yet others snatch the orphan from the breast, And they take as a pledge the unweaned of the humble.
10 Naked they go without clothing, And hungry they carry the sheaf.
11 Without their songs they clarify oil; They tread the wine vats yet are thirsty.
12 In the city the dying moan, And the soul of the wounded implores for help; Yet Eloah, He does not place charges of impropriety.
13 They are among those revolting against the light; They neither recognize its ways Nor dwell in its tracks.
14 When the light is gone the murderer arises; He dispatches the humble and needy one; And in the night he becomes stealthy as a thief.
15 The eye of the adulterer keeps watch for the gloaming, Saying, No eye can regard me; And he places a concealment over his face.
16 In the darkness he burrows into houses; By day they seal themselves up; They do not know the light.
17 For altogether morning is a shadow of death to them, For each one values the decadence of the blackest shadow.
18 This one has light work on the face of the waters; For others their portion is slight on the land; Not one is facing the way of the vineyards.
19 As aridity and warmth siphon away the snow waters, So the unseen takes those who have sinned.
20 The city square forgets him; The worm finds him sweet; He shall not be remembered any more; Thus like a tree, iniquity shall be broken down.
21 He has done evil to the barren one who bears not, And he has not done good for the widow.
22 He has drawn forth the sturdy ones by his vigor; He arises, and none can put reliance in their lives.
23 He gives trust to him, and he leans back, Yet His eyes are on their ways.
24 They are exalted a little while, but each will be no more; They shall be reduced; Like all others they shall be shut up, And like the head of a grain-stalk they shall be snipped off.
25 But if not so, indeed who can prove me a liar Or establish my declaration as nothing?