Job 31:1-40 AMP

[1] “I have made a covenant (agreement) with my eyes; How then could I gaze [lustfully] at a virgin? [2] For what is the portion I would have from God above, And what heritage from the Almighty on high? [3] Does not tragedy fall [justly] on the unjust And disaster to those who work wickedness? [4] Does not God see my ways And count all my steps? [5] “If I have walked with falsehood, Or if my foot has chased after deceit, [6] Oh, let Him weigh me with accurate scales, And let God know my integrity. [7] If my step has turned away from the way [of God], Or if my heart has [covetously] followed my eyes, Or if any spot [of guilt] has stained my hands, [8] Then let me plant and [let] another eat [from the results of my labor], And let my crops be uprooted and ruined. [9] “If my heart has been enticed and I was made a fool by a woman, Or if I have [covetously] lurked at my neighbor’s door [until his departure], [10] Let my wife grind [meal, like a bond slave] for another [man], And let others kneel down over her. [11] For adultery is a heinous and lustful crime; Moreover, it would be a sin punishable by the judges. [12] For it is a fire which consumes to Abaddon (destruction, ruin, final torment); And [illicit passion] would burn and rage and uproot all my [life’s] increase [destroying everything]. [13] “If I have despised and rejected the claim of my male or female servants When they filed a complaint against me, [14] What then could I do when God arises [to judge me]? When He calls me to account, what will I answer Him? [15] Did not He who made me in the womb make my servant, And did not the same One fashion us both in the womb? [16] “If I have withheld from the poor what they desired, Or have caused the eyes of the widow to look in vain [for relief], [17] Or have eaten my morsel [of food] alone, And did not share it with the orphan [18] (But from my youth the orphan grew up with me as with a father, And from my mother’s womb I have been the widow’s guide), [19] If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, Or any poor person without covering, [20] If his loins have not thanked and blessed me [for clothing them], And if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep, [21] If I have lifted my hand against the orphan, Because I saw [that the judges would be] my help at the [council] gate, [22] Then let my shoulder fall away from its socket, And my arm be broken off at the elbow. [23] For tragedy from God is a terror to me, And because of His majesty and exaltation I can do nothing [nor endure facing Him]. [24] “If I have put my trust and confidence in gold, Or have declared fine gold my hope and assurance, [25] If I gloated and rejoiced because my wealth was great, And because my [powerful] hand [alone] had obtained so much, [26] If I beheld the sun [as an object of worship] when it shone Or the moon going in its splendor, [27] And my heart became secretly enticed [by them], And my hand threw a kiss from my mouth [in respect to them], [28] This also would have been [a heinous] sin calling for judgment, For I would have denied God above. [29] “Have I rejoiced at the destruction of the enemy [who hated me], Or exulted [in malicious triumph] when evil overtook him? [30] No, I have not allowed my mouth to sin By cursing my enemy and asking for his life. [31] I assure you, the men of my tent have said, ‘Who can find one [in need] who has not been satisfied with his meat’? [32] The stranger has not lodged in the street, Because I have opened my door to the traveler. [33] Have I concealed my transgressions like Adam or like other men, By hiding my wickedness in my bosom, [34] Because I feared the great multitude, And the contempt of families terrified me, So that I kept silence and did not acknowledge my sin and did not go out of the door? [35] Oh, that I had one to listen to me! Look, here is my signature (mark); Let the Almighty answer me! Let my adversary write out His indictment [and put His vague accusations in tangible form]. [36] Surely I would [proudly] bear it on my shoulder, And bind the scroll around my head like a crown. [37] I would count out to Him the number of my steps [with every detail of my life], Approaching His presence as if I were a prince. [38] “For if my land has cried out against me, And its furrows weep together; [39] If I have eaten its fruits without paying for them, Or have caused its [rightful] owners to lose their lives, [40] Let thorns grow instead of wheat, And stinkweed and cockleburs instead of barley.” So the words of Job [with his friends] are finished.