Job 31:1-40 CEB

[1] I’ve made a covenant with my eyes; how could I look at a virgin? [2] What is God’s portion for me from above, the Almighty’s inheritance from on high? [3] Isn’t it disaster for the wicked, destruction for workers of iniquity? [4] Doesn’t he see my ways, count all my steps? [5] If I have walked with frauds or my feet have hurried to deceit, [6] let him weigh me on accurate scales; let God know my integrity. [7] If my step has turned from the way, if my heart has followed my eyes or a blemish has clung to my hands, [8] then let me sow and another reap; let my offspring be uprooted. [9] If my heart has been drawn to a woman and I have lurked at my neighbor’s door, [10] then may my wife grind for another and others kneel over her; [11] for that’s a crime; it’s a punishable offense; [12] indeed, it’s a fire that consumes to the underworld, uprooting all my harvest. [13] If I’ve rejected the just cause of my male or female servant when they contended with me, [14] what could I do when God rises; when he requires an account, what could I answer? [15] Didn’t the one who made me in the belly make them; didn’t the same one fashion us in the womb? [16] If I have denied what the poor wanted, made a widow’s eyes tired, [17] eaten my morsel alone, and not shared any with an orphan ( [18] for from my youth I raised the orphan as a father, and from my mother’s womb I led the widow); [19] if I ever saw someone dying without clothes, the needy naked; [20] if they haven’t blessed me fervently, or if they weren’t warmed by the wool from my sheep; [21] if I have lifted my hand against the orphans, when I saw that I had help in the city gate— [22] may my arm fall from my shoulder, my forearm be broken at the elbow— [23] for God’s calamity is terror to me; I couldn’t endure his splendor. [24] If I’ve made gold my trust, said to fine gold: “My security!” [25] if I’ve rejoiced because my wealth was great, when my hand found plenty; [26] if I’ve looked at the sun when it shone, the moon, splendid as it moved; [27] and my mind has been secretly enticed, and threw a kiss with my hand, [28] that also is a punishable offense, because I would then be disloyal to God above. [29] If I have rejoiced over my foes’ ruin or was excited when evil found them, [30] I didn’t let my mouth sin by asking for their life with a curse. [31] Surely those in my tent never said: “Who has been filled by Job’s food?” [32] A stranger didn’t spend the night in the street; I opened my doors to the road. [33] If I have hidden my transgressions like Adam, concealing my offenses inside me [34] because I feared the large crowd; the clan’s contempt frightened me; I was quiet and didn’t venture outside. [35] Oh, that I had someone to hear me! Here’s my signature; let the Almighty respond, and let my accuser write an indictment. [36] Surely I would bear it on my shoulder, tie it around me like a wreath. [37] I would give him an account of my steps, approach him like a prince. [38] If my land has cried out against me, its rows wept together; [39] if I have eaten its yield without payment and caused its owners grief, [40] may briars grow instead of wheat, poisonous weeds instead of barley. Job’s words are complete.