Job Chapter 24 verse 18 Holy Bible
Swiftly they `pass away' upon the face of the waters; Their portion is cursed in the earth: They turn not into the way of the vineyards.
read chapter 24 in ASV
They go quickly on the face of the waters; their heritage is cursed in the earth; the steps of the crusher of grapes are not turned to their vine-garden.
read chapter 24 in BBE
He is swift on the face of the waters; their portion is cursed on the earth: he turneth not unto the way of the vineyards.
read chapter 24 in DARBY
He is swift as the waters; their portion is cursed in the earth: he beholdeth not the way of the vineyards.
read chapter 24 in KJV
He is swift as the waters; their portion is cursed in the earth: he beholdeth not the way of the vineyards.
read chapter 24 in WBT
"They are foam on the surface of the waters. Their portion is cursed in the earth: They don't turn into the way of the vineyards.
read chapter 24 in WEB
Light he `is' on the face of the waters, Vilified is their portion in the earth, He turneth not the way of vineyards.
read chapter 24 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 18. - He is swift as the waters. "Locus obscurissimus" (Schulteus). Scarcely any two commentators agree even as to the subject on which Job proceeds to speak. Some regard him as giving his own judgment on the ultimate fate of the wicked; others, as anticipating what his opponents will say on the point. One recent expositor takes the passage as referring to the efforts made by the malefactors of vers. 14-16 to escape from justice, and to the discredit and difficulty in which they involve themselves. Another suggests that Job here calls attention to a fresh class of oppressors, viz. water-thieves (see Strabo, 16:18), who, starting in light boats from some island in a lake or river, plundered the neighbouring lands, making the portions of the landholders worthless, and causing them to neglect the cultivation, even of their vineyards. If we accept this view, the proper translation of the present verse will be, Swift is he (i.e. the water-thief) upon the face of the waters: then is the portion of them who dwell in the land worthless; no one turneth his face toward his vine. yards (see Professor Lee's 'Book of Job,' pp. 153, 378, 379).
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(18) He is swift.--That is--each of these rebels against the light is swift to make his escape over the face of the waters. So we ought to read it, and not, with Authorised Version, as a comparison.Their portion is cursed in the earth.--That is, men so regard it; it has an evil name, and is of bad repute.He beholdeth not.--Rather, he--that is, each of them--turneth not the way of the vineyards, which is frequented and cultivated, but chooseth rather lone, desolate, solitary, and rugged paths.
