Job defends himself from the unjust judgments of his friends – Book of Job, chapter 31

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

[1] I made a covenant with my eyes, that I would not so much as think upon a virgin. [2] For what part should God from above have in me, and what inheritance the Almighty from on high? [3] Is not destruction to the wicked, and aversion to them that work iniquity? [4] Doth not he consider my ways, and number all my steps? [5] If I have walked in vanity, and my foot hath made haste to deceit:

[6] Let him weigh me in a just balance, and let God know my simplicity. [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] Then let me sow and let another eat: and let my offspring be rooted out. [9] If my heart hath been deceived upon a woman, and if I have laid wait at my friend’s door: [10] Let my wife be the harlot of another, and let other men lie with her.

[11] For this is a heinous crime, and a most grievous iniquity. [12] It is a fire that devoureth even to destruction, and rooteth up all things that spring. [13] If I have despised to abide judgment with my manservant, or my maidservant, when they had any controversy against me: [14] For what shall I do when God shall rise to judge? and when he shall examine, what shall I answer him? [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] If I have denied to the poor what they desired, and have made the eyes of the widow wait: [17] If I have eaten my morsel alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof: [18] (For from my infancy mercy grew up with me: and it came out with me from my mother’s womb:) [19] If I have despised him that was perishing for want of clothing, and the poor man that had no covering: [20] If his sides have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep:

[21] If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, even when I saw myself superior in the gate: [22] Let my shoulder fall from its joint, and let my arm with its bones be broken. [23] For I have always feared God as waves swelling over me, and his weight I was not able to bear. [24] If I have thought gold my strength, and have said to fine gold: My confidence: [25] If I have rejoiced over my great riches, and because my hand had gotten much.

[26] If I beheld the sun when it shined, and the moon going in brightness: [27] And my heart in secret hath rejoiced, and I have kissed my hand with my mouth: [28] Which is a very great iniquity, and a denial against the most high God. [29] If I have been glad at the downfall of him that hated me, and have rejoiced that evil had found him. [30] For I have not given my mouth to sin, by wishing a curse to his soul.

[31] If the men of my tabernacle have not said: Who will give us of his flesh that we may be filled? [32] The stranger did not stay without, my door was open to the traveller. [33] If as a man I have hid my sin, and have concealed my iniquity in my bosom. [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] Who would grant me a hearer, that the Almighty may hear my desire; and that he himself that judgeth would write a book,

[36] That I may carry it on my shoulder, and put it about me as a crown? [37] At every step of mine I would pronounce it, and offer it as to a prince. [38] If my land cry against me, and with it the furrows thereof mourn: [39] If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, and have afflicted the soul of the tillers thereof: [40] Let thistles grow up to me instead of wheat, and thorns instead of barley.

Commentary

[26] “If I beheld the sun”: If I behold the sun and moon with admiration, knowing them to be created and governed by the power of God, I call on my adversaries to produce any thing against me, whereby I could be charged with worshipping the sun or moon.

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