The plight of the poor (Job 24:9-24:12)

“There are those who snatch

The orphan child from the breast.

They take as a pledge the infant of the poor.

They go about naked,

Without clothing.

Though hungry, they carry the sheaves.

Between their terraces they press out oil.

They tread the wine presses,

But suffer thirst.

From the city,

The dying groan.

The throat of the wounded cries for help.

Yet God pays no attention to their prayer.”

Job maintained that God did not pay attention to the prayers of the poor. They have their children snatched from their breast as collateral. They have no clothing. Although hungry and thirsty, they carry the wheat and press the olive oil and the grapes for wine. They groan from the city, but no one hears them. Their prayers go unanswered.