Job 31:1-40 GNT

[1] I have made a solemn promise never to look with lust at a woman. [2] What does Almighty God do to us? How does he repay human deeds? [3] He sends disaster and ruin to those who do wrong. [4] God knows everything I do; he sees every step I take. [5] I swear I have never acted wickedly and never tried to deceive others. [6] Let God weigh me on honest scales, and he will see how innocent I am. [7] If I have turned from the right path or let myself be attracted to evil, if my hands are stained with sin, [8] then let my crops be destroyed, or let others eat the food I grow. [9] If I have been attracted to my neighbor's wife, and waited, hidden, outside her door, [10] then let my wife cook another man's food and sleep in another man's bed. [11] Such wickedness should be punished by death. [12] It would be like a destructive, hellish fire, consuming everything I have. [13] When any of my servants complained against me, I would listen and treat them fairly. [14] If I did not, how could I then face God? What could I say when God came to judge me? [15] The same God who created me created my servants also. [16] I have never refused to help the poor; never have I let widows live in despair [17] or let orphans go hungry while I ate. [18] All my life I have taken care of them. [19] When I found someone in need, too poor to buy clothes, [20] I would give him clothing made of wool that had come from my own flock of sheep. Then he would praise me with all his heart. [21] If I have ever cheated an orphan, knowing I could win in court, [22] then may my arms be broken; may they be torn from my shoulders. [23] Because I fear God's punishment, I could never do such a thing. [24] I have never trusted in riches [25] or taken pride in my wealth. [26] I have never worshiped the sun in its brightness or the moon in all its beauty. [27] I have not been led astray to honor them by kissing my hand in reverence to them. [28] Such a sin should be punished by death; it denies Almighty God. [29] I have never been glad when my enemies suffered, or pleased when they met with disaster; [30] I never sinned by praying for their death. [31] All those who work for me know that I have always welcomed strangers. [32] I invited travelers into my home and never let them sleep in the streets. [33] Others try to hide their sins, but I have never concealed mine. [34] I have never feared what people would say; I have never kept quiet or stayed indoors because I feared their scorn. [35] Will no one listen to what I am saying? I swear that every word is true. Let Almighty God answer me. If the charges my opponent brings against me were written down so that I could see them, [36] I would wear them proudly on my shoulder and place them on my head like a crown. [37] I would tell God everything I have done, and hold my head high in his presence. [38] If I have stolen the land I farm and taken it from its rightful owners- [39] if I have eaten the food that grew there but let the farmers that grew it starve- [40] then instead of wheat and barley, may weeds and thistles grow. The words of Job are ended.