Chapter 31

Job, to defend himself from the unjust judgments of his friends, gives a sincere account of his own virtues.

1. 1

   I made a covenant with my eyes, that I would not so much as think upon a virgin.

2. 2

   For what part should God from above have in me, and what inheritance the Almighty from on high?

3. 3

   Is not destruction to the wicked, and aversion to them that work iniquity?

4. 4

   Doth not he consider my ways, and number all my steps?

5. 5

   If I have walked in vanity, and my foot hath made haste to deceit:

6. 6

   Let him weigh me in a just balance, and let God know my simplicity.

7. 7

   If my step hath turned out of the way, and if my heart hath followed my eyes, and if a spot hath cleaved to my hands:

8. 8

   Then let me sow, and let another eat: and let my offspring be rooted out.

9. 9

   If my heart hath been deceived upon a woman, and if I have laid wait at my friend's door:

10. 10

    Let my wife be the harlot of another, and let other men lie with her.

11. 11

    For this is a heinous crime, and a most grievous iniquity.

12. 12

    It is a fire that devoureth even to destruction, and rooteth up all things that spring.

13. 13

    If I have despised to abide judgment with my man-servant, or my maid-servant, when they had any controversy against me:

14. 14

    For what shall I do when God shall rise to judge? and when he shall examine, what shall I answer him?

15. 15

    Did not he that made me in the womb make him also: and did not one and the same form me in the womb?

16. 16

    If I have denied to the poor what they desired, and have made the eyes of the widow wait:

17. 17

    If I have eaten my morsel alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof:

18. 18

    (For from my infancy mercy grew up with me: and it came out with me from my mother's womb:)

19. 19

    If I have despised him that was perishing for want of clothing, and the poor man that had no covering:

20. 20

    If his sides have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep:

21. 21

    If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, even when I saw myself superior in the gate:

22. 22

    Let my shoulder fall from its joint, and let my arm, with its bones, be broken.

23. 23

    For I have always feared God as waves swelling over me, and his weight I was not able to bear.

24. 24

    If I have thought gold my strength, and have said to fine gold: My confidence.

25. 25

    If I have rejoiced over my great riches, and because my hand had gotten much.

26. 26

    If I beheld the sun when it shined, and the moon going in brightness:

27. 27

    And my heart in secret hath rejoiced, and I have kissed my hand with my mouth:

28. 28

    Which is a very great iniquity, and a denial against the most high God.

29. 29

    If I have been glad at the downfall of him that hated me, and have rejoiced that evil had found him.

30. 30

    For I have not given my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul.

31. 31

    If the men of my tabernacle have not said: Who will give us of his flesh that we may be filled?

32. 32

    The stranger did not stay without; my door was open to the traveller.

33. 33

    If as a man I have hid my sin, and have concealed my iniquity in my bosom.

34. 34

    If I have been afraid at a very great multitude, and the contempt of kinsmen hath terrified me: and I have not rather held my peace, and not gone out of the door.

35. 35

    Who would grant me a hearer, that the Almighty may hear my desire: and that he himself that judges would write a book;

36. 36

    That I may carry it on my shoulder, and put it about me as a crown?

37. 37

    At every step of mine I would pronounce it, and offer it as to a prince.

38. 38

    If my land cry against me, and with it the furrows thereof mourn:

39. 39

    If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, and have afflicted the soul of the tillers thereof:

40. 40

    Let thistles grow up to me, instead of wheat, and thorns instead of barley.