Job 31 — GNB

31Verse 1I made a covenant with mine eyes; How then could I gaze upon a maid?^{Verse 2}For what is the portion appointed by God from above, And the inheritance allotted by the Almighty from on high?^{Verse 3}Is not destruction for the wicked, And ruin for the workers of iniquity?^{Verse 4}Doth He not see my ways, And number all my steps?^{Verse 5}If I have walked with falsehood, And if my foot hath hasted to deceit,^{Verse 6}Let him weigh me in an even balance; Yea, let God know my integrity!^{Verse 7}If my steps have turned aside from the way, And my heart gone after mine eyes, Or if any stain hath cleaved to my hand,^{Verse 8}Then I may sow, and another eat; And what I plant, may it be rooted up!^{Verse 9}If my heart hath been enticed by a woman, Or if I have watched at my neighbor's door,^{Verse 10}Then let my wife grind for another, And let other men lie with her!^{Verse 11}For this were a heinous crime, Even a transgression to be punished by the judges;^{Verse 12}Yea, it were a fire that would consume to destruction, And root out all my increase.^{Verse 13}If I have refused justice to my man-servant or maid-servant, When they had a controversy with me,^{Verse 14}Then what shall I do when God riseth up? And when he visiteth, what shall I answer him?^{Verse 15}Did not He that made me in the womb make him? Did not one fashion us in the womb?^{Verse 16}If I have refused the poor their desire, And caused the eyes of the widow to fail;^{Verse 17}If I have eaten my morsel alone, And the fatherless hath not partaken of it;^{Verse 18}(Nay, from my youth he grew up with me as with a father, And I have helped the widow from my mother's womb;)^{Verse 19}If I have seen any one perishing for want of clothing, Or any poor man without covering;^{Verse 20}If his loins have not blessed me, And he hath not been warmed with the fleece of my sheep;^{Verse 21}If I have shaken my hand against the fatherless, Because I saw my help in the gate,—^{Verse 22}Then may my shoulder fill from its blade, And my fore-arm be broken from its bone!^{Verse 23}For destruction from God was a terror to me, And before his majesty I could do nothing.^{Verse 24}If I have made gold my trust, Or said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence;^{Verse 25}If I have rejoiced, because my wealth was great, And my hand had found abundance;^{Verse 26}If I have beheld the sun in his splendor, Or the moon advancing in brightness,^{Verse 27}And my heart hath been secretly enticed, And my mouth hath kissed my hand,^{Verse 28}This also were a crime to be punished by the judge; For I should have denied the God who is above.^{Verse 29}If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, And exulted when evil came upon him;^{Verse 30}(Nay, I have not suffered my mouth to sin, By asking with curses his life;)^{Verse 31}If the men of my tent have not exclaimed, “Who is there that hath not been satisfied with his meat?”^{Verse 32}The stranger did not lodge in the street; I opened my doors to the traveller.^{Verse 33}Have I, after the manner of men, hidden my transgression, Concealing my iniquity in my bosom,^{Verse 34}Then let me be confounded before the great multitude! Let the contempt of families cover me with shame! Yea, let me keep silence! let me never appear abroad!^{Verse 35}O that there were one who would hear me! Behold my signature! let the Almighty answer me. And let mine adversary write down his charge!^{Verse 36}Truly I would wear it upon my shoulder; I would bind it upon me as a crown.^{Verse 37}I would disclose to him all my steps; I would approach him like a prince.^{Verse 38}If my land cry out against me, And its furrows bewail together;^{Verse 39}If I have eaten of its fruits without payment, And wrung out the life of its owners,^{Verse 40}Let thorns grow up instead of wheat, And noxious weeds instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.