1 W herefore from the Mighty One Times have not been hidden, And those knowing Him have not seen His days.

2 T he borders they reach, A drove they have taken violently away, Yea, they do evil.

3 T he ass of the fatherless they lead away, They take in pledge the ox of the widow,

4 T hey turn aside the needy from the way, Together have hid the poor of the earth.

5 L o, wild asses in a wilderness, They have gone out about their work, Seeking early for prey, A mixture for himself -- food for young ones.

6 I n a field his provender they reap, And the vineyard of the wicked they glean.

7 T he naked they cause to lodge Without clothing. And there is no covering in the cold.

8 F rom the inundation of hills they are wet, And without a refuge -- have embraced a rock.

9 T hey take violently away From the breast the orphan, And on the poor they lay a pledge.

10 N aked, they have gone without clothing, And hungry -- have taken away a sheaf.

11 B etween their walls they make oil, Wine-presses they have trodden, and thirst.

12 B ecause of enmity men do groan, And the soul of pierced ones doth cry, And God doth not give praise.

13 T hey have been among rebellious ones of light, They have not discerned His ways, Nor abode in His paths.

14 A t the light doth the murderer rise, He doth slay the poor and needy, And in the night he is as a thief.

15 A nd the eye of an adulterer Hath observed the twilight, Saying, `No eye doth behold me.' And he putteth the face in secret.

16 H e hath dug in the darkness -- houses; By day they shut themselves up, They have not known light.

17 W hen together, morning to them death shade, When he discerneth the terrors of death shade.

18 L ight he on the face of the waters, Vilified is their portion in the earth, He turneth not the way of vineyards.

19 D rought -- also heat -- consume snow-waters, Sheol have sinned.

20 F orget him doth the womb, Sweeten him doth the worm, No more is he remembered, And broken as a tree is wickedness.

21 T reating evil the barren beareth not, And the widow he doth no good,

22 A nd hath drawn the mighty by his power, He riseth, and none believeth in life.

23 H e giveth to him confidence, and he is supported, And his eyes on their ways.

24 H igh they were a little, and they are not, And they have been brought low. As all they are shut up, And as the head of an ear of corn cut off.

25 A nd if not now, who doth prove me a liar, And doth make of nothing my word?