31 I
made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? 2 For
what portion of God is there from above? and what inheritance of the Almighty
from on high? 3 Is
not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers
of iniquity? 4 Doth
not he see my ways, and count all my steps? 5 If
I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit; 6 Let
me be weighed in an even balance that God may know mine integrity. 7 If
my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes,
and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands; 8 Then
let me sow, and let another eat; yea, let my offspring be rooted out. 9 If
mine heart have been deceived by a woman, or if I have laid wait at my
neighbour's door; 10 Then
let my wife grind unto another, and let others bow down upon her. 11 For
this is an heinous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the
judges. 12 For
it is a fire that consumeth to destruction, and would root out all mine
increase. 13 If
I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they
contended with me; 14 What
then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I
answer him? 15 Did
not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in
the womb? 16 If
I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of
the widow to fail; 17 Or
have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof; 18 (For
from my youth he was brought up with me, as with a father, and I have
guided her from my mother's womb;) 19 If
I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering; 20 If
his loins 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, when I saw my help in
the gate: 22 Then
let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the
bone. 23 For
destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I
could not endure. 24 If
I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence; 25 If
I rejoice because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten
much; 26 If
I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness; 27 And
my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand: 28 This
also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied
the God that is above. 29 If
I rejoice at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when
evil found him: 30 Neither
have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul. 31 If
the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot
be satisfied. 32 The
stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveller. 33 If
I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom: 34 Did
I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that
I kept silence, and went not out of the door? 35 Oh
that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer
me, and that mine adversary had written a book. 36 Surely
I would take it upon my shoulder, and bind it as a crown to me. 37 I would
declare unto him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near unto
him. 38 If
my land cry against me, or that the furrows likewise thereof complain; 39 If
I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, or have caused the owners
thereof to lose their life: 40 Let
thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words
of Job are ended.