Job 31
1I have made a covenant with my eyes.
How then could I look at a young woman?2
3For what portion would I have from God above, or what inheritance from the Almighty on high?4
5Doesn’t disaster come to the unjust and misfortune to evildoers?6
7Does he not see my ways and number all my steps?8
9If I have walked in falsehood or my foot has rushed to deceit,10
11let God weigh me on accurate scales, and he will recognize my integrity.12
13If my step has turned from the way, my heart has followed my eyes, or impurity has stained my hands,14
15let someone else eat what I have sown, and let my crops be uprooted.16
17If my heart has gone astray over a woman or I have lurked at my neighbor’s door,18
19let my own wife grind grain for another man, and let other men sleep with her.20
21For that would be a disgrace; it would be an iniquity deserving punishment.22
23For it is a fire that consumes down to Abaddon; it would destroy my entire harvest.24
25If I have dismissed the case of my male or female servants when they made a complaint against me,26
27what could I do when God stands up to judge? How should I answer him when he calls me to account?28
29Did not the one who made me in the womb also make them? Did not the same God form us both in the womb?30
31If I have refused the wishes of the poor or let the widow’s eyes go blind,32
33if I have eaten my few crumbs alone without letting the fatherless eat any of it —34
35for from my youth, I raised him as his father, and since the day I was born I guided the widow —36
37if I have seen anyone dying for lack of clothing or a needy person without a cloak,38
39if he did not bless me while warming himself with the fleece from my sheep,40
41if I ever cast my vote against a fatherless child when I saw that I had support in the city gate,42
43then let my shoulder blade fall from my back, and my arm be pulled from its socket.44
45For disaster from God terrifies me, and because of his majesty I could not do these things.46
47If I placed my confidence in gold or called fine gold my trust,48
49if I have rejoiced because my wealth is great or because my own hand has acquired so much,50
51if I have gazed at the sun when it was shining or at the moon moving in splendor,52
53so that my heart was secretly enticed and I threw them a kiss,54
55this would also be an iniquity deserving punishment, for I would have denied God above.56
57Have I rejoiced over my enemy’s distress, or become excited when trouble came his way?58
59I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking for his life with a curse.60
61Haven’t the members of my household said, “Who is there who has not had enough to eat at Job’s table?”62
63No stranger had to spend the night on the street, for I opened my door to the traveler.64
65Have I covered my transgressions as others do by hiding my iniquity in my heart66
67because I greatly feared the crowds and because the contempt of the clans terrified me, so I grew silent and would not go outside?68
69If only I had someone to hear my case! Here is my signature; let the Almighty answer me. Let my Opponent compose his indictment.70
71I would surely carry it on my shoulder and wear it like a crown.72
73I would give him an account of all my steps; I would approach him like a prince.74
75If my land cries out against me and its furrows join in weeping,76
77if I have consumed its produce without payment or shown contempt for its tenants,78
79then let thorns grow instead of wheat and stinkweed instead of barley. The words of Job are concluded.80
3For what portion would I have from God above, or what inheritance from the Almighty on high?4
5Doesn’t disaster come to the unjust and misfortune to evildoers?6
7Does he not see my ways and number all my steps?8
9If I have walked in falsehood or my foot has rushed to deceit,10
11let God weigh me on accurate scales, and he will recognize my integrity.12
13If my step has turned from the way, my heart has followed my eyes, or impurity has stained my hands,14
15let someone else eat what I have sown, and let my crops be uprooted.16
17If my heart has gone astray over a woman or I have lurked at my neighbor’s door,18
19let my own wife grind grain for another man, and let other men sleep with her.20
21For that would be a disgrace; it would be an iniquity deserving punishment.22
23For it is a fire that consumes down to Abaddon; it would destroy my entire harvest.24
25If I have dismissed the case of my male or female servants when they made a complaint against me,26
27what could I do when God stands up to judge? How should I answer him when he calls me to account?28
29Did not the one who made me in the womb also make them? Did not the same God form us both in the womb?30
31If I have refused the wishes of the poor or let the widow’s eyes go blind,32
33if I have eaten my few crumbs alone without letting the fatherless eat any of it —34
35for from my youth, I raised him as his father, and since the day I was born I guided the widow —36
37if I have seen anyone dying for lack of clothing or a needy person without a cloak,38
39if he did not bless me while warming himself with the fleece from my sheep,40
41if I ever cast my vote against a fatherless child when I saw that I had support in the city gate,42
43then let my shoulder blade fall from my back, and my arm be pulled from its socket.44
45For disaster from God terrifies me, and because of his majesty I could not do these things.46
47If I placed my confidence in gold or called fine gold my trust,48
49if I have rejoiced because my wealth is great or because my own hand has acquired so much,50
51if I have gazed at the sun when it was shining or at the moon moving in splendor,52
53so that my heart was secretly enticed and I threw them a kiss,54
55this would also be an iniquity deserving punishment, for I would have denied God above.56
57Have I rejoiced over my enemy’s distress, or become excited when trouble came his way?58
59I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking for his life with a curse.60
61Haven’t the members of my household said, “Who is there who has not had enough to eat at Job’s table?”62
63No stranger had to spend the night on the street, for I opened my door to the traveler.64
65Have I covered my transgressions as others do by hiding my iniquity in my heart66
67because I greatly feared the crowds and because the contempt of the clans terrified me, so I grew silent and would not go outside?68
69If only I had someone to hear my case! Here is my signature; let the Almighty answer me. Let my Opponent compose his indictment.70
71I would surely carry it on my shoulder and wear it like a crown.72
73I would give him an account of all my steps; I would approach him like a prince.74
75If my land cries out against me and its furrows join in weeping,76
77if I have consumed its produce without payment or shown contempt for its tenants,78
79then let thorns grow instead of wheat and stinkweed instead of barley. The words of Job are concluded.80