Job 31:1-40 TLB

[1] "I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust upon a girl. [2] I know full well that Almighty God above sends calamity on those who do. [4] He sees everything I do and every step I take. [5] "If I have lied and deceived- [6] but God knows that I am innocent- [7] or if I have stepped off God's pathway, or if my heart has lusted for what my eyes have seen, or if I am guilty of any other sin, then let someone else reap the crops I have sown and let all that I have planted be rooted out. [9] "Or if I have longed for another man's wife, [10] then may I die, and may my wife be in another man's home and someone else become her husband. [11] For lust is a shameful sin, a crime that should be punished. [12] It is a devastating fire that destroys to hell and would root out all I have planted. [13] "If I have been unfair to my servants, [14] how could I face God? What could I say when he questioned me about it? [15] For God made me and made my servant too. He created us both. [16] "If I have hurt the poor, or caused widows to weep, [17] or refused food to hungry orphans- [18] (but we have always cared for orphans in our home, treating them as our own children)- [19] or if I have seen anyone freezing and not given him clothing or fleece from my sheep to keep him warm, [21] or if I have taken advantage of an orphan because I thought I could get away with it- [22] if I have done any of these things, then let my arm be torn from its socket! Let my shoulder be wrenched out of place! [23] Rather that than face the judgment sent by God; that I dread more than anything else. For if the majesty of God opposes me, what hope is there? [24] "If I have put my trust in money, [25] if my happiness depends on wealth, [26] or if I have looked at the sun shining in the skies or the moon walking down her silver pathway [27] and my heart has been secretly enticed, and I have worshiped them by kissing my hand to them, [28] this, too, must be punished by the judges. For if I had done such things, it would mean that I denied the God of heaven. [29] "If I have rejoiced at harm to an enemy- [30] (but actually I have never cursed anyone nor asked for revenge)- [31] or if any of my servants have ever gone hungry- [32] (actually I have never turned away even a stranger but have opened my doors to all)- [33] or if, like Adam, I have tried to hide my sins, [34] fearing the crowd and its contempt so that I refused to acknowledge my sin and do not go out of my way to help others- [35] (oh, that there were someone who would listen to me and try to see my side of this argument. Look, I will sign my signature to my defense; now let the Almighty show me that I am wrong; let him approve the indictments made against me by my enemies. [36] I would treasure it like a crown. [37] Then I would tell him exactly what I have done and why, presenting my defense as one he listens to). [38] "Or if my land accuses me because I stole the fruit it bears, or if I have murdered its owners to get their land for myself, [40] then let thistles grow on that land instead of wheat, and weeds instead of barley." Job's words are ended.