Home Master Index
←Prev   Job 31 as rendered by/in  Next→ 


31:1  I have made a covenant with my eyes. How then could I look at a young woman?
31:2  For what portion would I have from God above, or what inheritance from the Almighty on high?
31:3  Doesn't disaster come to the unjust and misfortune to evildoers?
31:4  Does He not see my ways and number all my steps?
31:5  If I have walked in falsehood or my foot has rushed to deceit,
31:6  let God weigh me in accurate scales, and He will recognize my integrity.
31:7  If my step has turned from the way, my heart has followed my eyes, or impurity has stained my hands,
31:8  let someone else eat what I have sown, and let my crops be uprooted.
31:9  If my heart has been seduced by my neighbor's wife or I have lurked at his door,
31:10  let my own wife grind grain for another man, and let other men sleep with her.
31:11  For that would be a disgrace; it would be a crime deserving punishment.
31:12  For it is a fire that consumes down to Abaddon; it would destroy my entire harvest.
31:13  If I have dismissed the case of my male or female servants when they made a complaint against me,
31:14  what could I do when God stands up to judge? How should I answer Him when He calls me to account?
31:15  Did not the One who made me in the womb also make them? Did not the same God form us both in the womb?
31:16  If I have refused the wishes of the poor or let the widow's eyes go blind,
31:17  if I have eaten my few crumbs alone without letting the fatherless eat any of it--
31:18  for from my youth, I raised him as his father, and since the day I was born I guided the widow--
31:19  if I have seen anyone dying for lack of clothing or a needy person without a cloak,
31:20  if he did not bless me while warming himself with the fleece from my sheep,
31:21  if I ever cast my vote against a fatherless child when I saw that I had support in the city gate,
31:22  then let my shoulder blade fall from my back, and my arm be pulled from its socket.
31:23  For disaster from God terrifies me, and because of His majesty I could not do these things.
31:24  If I placed my confidence in gold or called fine gold my trust,
31:25  if I have rejoiced because my wealth is great or because my own hand has acquired so much,
31:26  if I have gazed at the sun when it was shining or at the moon moving in splendor,
31:27  so that my heart was secretly enticed and I threw them a kiss,
31:28  this would also be a crime deserving punishment, for I would have denied God above.
31:29  Have I rejoiced over my enemy's distress, or become excited when trouble came his way?
31:30  I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking for his life with a curse.
31:31  Haven't the members of my household said, "Who is there who has not had enough to eat at Job's table?"
31:32  No stranger had to spend the night on the street, for I opened my door to the traveler.
31:33  Have I covered my transgressions as others do by hiding my guilt in my heart,
31:34  because I greatly feared the crowds, and the contempt of the clans terrified me, so I grew silent and would not go outside?
31:35  If only I had someone to hear my case! Here is my signature; let the Almighty answer me. Let my Opponent compose His indictment.
31:36  I would surely carry it on my shoulder and wear it like a crown.
31:37  I would give Him an account of all my steps; I would approach Him like a prince.
31:38  If my land cries out against me and its furrows join in weeping,
31:39  if I have consumed its produce without payment or shown contempt for its tenants,
31:40  then let thorns grow instead of wheat and stinkweed instead of barley. The words of Job are concluded.