Job 31

Job maketh a solemn protestation of his integrity in several duties.

1 I made a covenant with my eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? 2 For what portion of God is there from above? and what inheritance of the Almighty from on high? 3 Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity? 4 Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps? 5 If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit; 6 Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know my integrity. ^{▼▼Let...: Heb. Let him weigh me in balances of justice} 7 If my step hath turned out of the way, and my heart walked after my eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to my hands; 8 Then let me sow, and let another eat; yea, let my offspring be rooted out.

9 If my heart hath been deceived by a woman, or if I have laid wait at my neighbour’s door; 10 Then let my wife grind to another, and let others bow down upon her. 11 For this is an heinous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges. 12 For it is a fire that consumeth to destruction, and would root out all my increase. 13 If I despised the cause of my male or female servant, when they contended with me; 14 What then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him? 15 Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb? ^{▼▼did not one...: or, did he not fashion us in one womb?}

16 If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail; 17 Or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten of it; 18 (For from my youth he was brought up with me, as with a father, and I have guided her from my mother’s womb;) ^{▼▼her: that is, the widow} 19 If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering; 20 If his loins have not blessed me, and if he hath not been warmed with the fleece of my sheep; 21 If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate: 22 Then let my arm fall from my shoulder blade, and my arm be broken from the bone. ^{▼▼bone: or, chanelbone} 23 For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.

24 If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence; 25 If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because my hand had gained much; ^{▼▼gotten...: Heb. found much} 26 If I have beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness; ^{▼▼sun: Heb. light
,} ^{▼▼in...: Heb. bright} 27 And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand: ^{▼▼my mouth...: Heb. my hand hath kissed my mouth} 28 This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above. 29 If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or have lifted up myself when evil found him: 30 Neither have I allowed my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul. ^{▼▼mouth: Heb. palate} 31 If the men of my tent have not said, O that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied. 32 The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveller. ^{▼▼traveller: or, way}

33 If I have covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding my iniquity in my bosom: ^{▼▼as Adam: or, after the manner of men} 34 Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, and went not out of the door? 35 O that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that my adversary had written a book. ^{▼▼my...: or, my sign is that the Almighty will} 36 Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, and bind it as a crown to me. 37 I would declare to him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near to him. 38 If my land crieth against me, or its furrows likewise complain; ^{▼▼complain: Heb. weep} 39 If I have eaten the fruits of it without money, or have caused its owners to lose their life: ^{▼▼fruits: Heb. strength
,} ^{▼▼the owners...: Heb. the soul of the owners thereof to expire, or, breathe out} 40 Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and weeds instead of barley. The words of Job are ended. ^{▼▼cockle: or, noisome weeds}