1 Why are times {ittim: appointed seasons} not kept in store by the Almighty {Shaddai, Sovereign Arbiter}, and why do those who know Him not see His days?
2 They shift boundary markers {gevulot: boundary markers} and seize a flock, and then pasture it {vayir’u: feed livestock}.
3 They drive away the donkey of the orphans {yetomim: fatherless and vulnerable}, and they seize as pledge the ox of the widow {almanah: woman left without husband or protector}.
4 They turn aside the needy {evyonim: utterly destitute} from the road {midarekh: main thoroughfare}, and all the poor of the land hide themselves together.
5 Behold, like wild donkeys in the wilderness, they go out in their labors, seeking early {meshakharei: dawn pursuit} for prey; the plain yields food for their children {ne‘arim: dependents}.
6 In the field they reap his fodder {lilo: animal feed}, and in the vineyard of the wicked {rasha: immoral oppressor} they glean.
7 They lie naked through the night {yalinu: habitual lodging} without clothing, and have no covering {kesut: protective garment} in the cold.
8 From the downpour {mi-zerem: heavy mountain shower} of the mountains they are soaked, and without shelter they embrace the rock {tsur: solid crag for refuge}.
9 They seize the orphan {yatom: fatherless one} from the breast, and from the destitute they take a pledge {yakhbolu: collateral seizure}.
10 Naked they walked without clothing {levush: garment covering}, and while hungry they carried the sheaf {omer: gathered grain}.
11 Between their rows, they press {yatsheeru: extract with pressure} oil; they tread the winepresses, yet they thirst {vayyitsma’u: lack water}.
12 From the city the dying groan, and the soul of the wounded cries out; yet God {Eloah, Sovereign Judge} does not charge them with wrong {tiflah: moral blame}.
13 They are numbered with those who revolt{mordei: open defiance} against the light; they do not acknowledge his ways, and they do not remain in his paths{netivot: life tracks}.
14 At daylight {laor: beginning of day}, the murderer {rotseach: premeditated killer} rises, kills the poor and the needy, and at night he is like a thief.
15 And the eye of the adulterer keeps watch for twilight {neshef: dusk period}, saying, “No eye will see me,” and he puts on a covering of faces {panim: appearance disguise}.
16 They break into houses in darkness {choshekh: concealment}; by day they seal themselves in; they do not know the light {or: illumination}.
17 For together {yaḥdāw: shared ordeal}, the morning is deep darkness {ṣalmāwêt: overwhelming gloom} to them, for he recognizes the terrors of deep darkness.
18 He is swift {qal: quick lightness} on the surface of the waters; their portion is cursed in the land; he will not turn toward the path of the vineyards {keramim: symbol of blessing}.
19 As drought and heat likewise snatch away the waters of snow, so Sheol {sheol: realm of the dead} claims those who have sinned {khata'u: missed the mark}.
20 The womb will forget him; his sweetness {metaqo: once-loved charm} will be for the worm. He will no longer be remembered, and injustice will be shattered like a tree {etz: felled trunk}.
21 He preys upon the barren woman {akārāh: childless} who does not bear children, and shows no kindness to the widow {almānāh: bereaved wife}.
22 Yet God {Elohim, Mighty Victor} draws out the mighty ones {abbirim: powerful individuals} by His power; they rise up, yet no one is sure of life.
23 He gives him security, and he rests {yish-sha-en: abiding rest}, and His eyes are on their ways {dar-khei-hem: paths of conduct}.
24 They are exalted a little {me'at: brief duration}, and then they are no more; they are brought low. Like all, they are gathered up, and like the head of grain {shibolet: ear of grain}, they are cut off.
25 And if not, surely {efo: strong emphasis}, who will prove me false and make my word {milah: personal testimony} nothing?