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18 He is swift on the surface of the water:[a]
    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,
    Sheol, those who have sinned.
20 May the womb forget him,
    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,
    may his widow not prosper!
22 He[b] sustains the mighty by his strength,
    to him who rises without assurance of his life
23     he gives safety and support,
    and his eyes are on their ways.
24 They are exalted for a while, and then are no more;
    laid low, like everyone else they are gathered up;
    like ears of grain they shrivel.

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Footnotes

  1. 24:18–24 These verses are inconsistent with Job’s views elsewhere. Moreover, they are in general poorly preserved, and in some cases obscure.
  2. 24:22 He: God.

18 “Yet they are foam(A) on the surface of the water;(B)
    their portion of the land is cursed,(C)
    so that no one goes to the vineyards.(D)
19 As heat and drought snatch away the melted snow,(E)
    so the grave(F) snatches away those who have sinned.
20 The womb forgets them,
    the worm(G) feasts on them;(H)
the wicked are no longer remembered(I)
    but are broken like a tree.(J)
21 They prey on the barren and childless woman,
    and to the widow they show no kindness.(K)
22 But God drags away the mighty by his power;(L)
    though they become established,(M) they have no assurance of life.(N)
23 He may let them rest in a feeling of security,(O)
    but his eyes(P) are on their ways.(Q)
24 For a little while they are exalted, and then they are gone;(R)
    they are brought low and gathered up like all others;(S)
    they are cut off like heads of grain.(T)

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