1 “I made a covenant with my eyes; how, then, can I focus my attention on a virgin? ISV — Job 31:1
2 What would I have a31:2 The Heb. lacks would one have from God above, what heritage from the Almighty on high, ISV — Job 31:2
3 if not calamity that is due the unjust, and misfortune that is due those who practice iniquity? ISV — Job 31:3
4 He watches my life, observing every one of my actions, b31:4 Lit. steps does he not?” ISV — Job 31:4
5 “If I’ve lived my life in the company of vanity, or run quickly to embrace deception, ISV — Job 31:5
6 let my righteousness be weighed in honest scales, and God will make known my integrity. ISV — Job 31:6
7 If I have stepped away from the way, or if my heart covets whatever my eyes see, or if some other blemish clings to my hands, ISV — Job 31:7
8 what I’ve planted, let another eat or let my crops be uprooted.” ISV — Job 31:8
9 “If my heart has been seduced by a woman and I’ve laid in wait at my friend’s door, ISV — Job 31:9
10 then let my wife cook c31:10 Lit. grind for another person and may someone else sleep with her, ISV — Job 31:10
11 because something as lascivious as that is an iniquity that should be judged. ISV — Job 31:11
12 The fires of Abaddon d31:12 Or Destruction; i.e. the realm of eternal punishment in the afterlife will burn, e31:12 Lit. consume disrupting every part of my eternal reward.” f31:12 Lit. my harvest ISV — Job 31:12
13 “If I’ve refused to help my male and female servants when they complain against me, ISV — Job 31:13
14 what will I do when God stands up to act? When he asks the questions, how will I answer him? ISV — Job 31:14
15 The one who made me in the womb made them, g31:15 Lit. him too, didn’t he? Didn’t the same one prepare each of us in the womb?” ISV — Job 31:15
16 “If I refused to grant the desire of the poor or exhausted the eyes of the widow, ISV — Job 31:16
17 if I ate my meals by myself without feeding orphans, ISV — Job 31:17
18 (even a poor man had grown up with me as if I were his father, and even though I had guided the widow h31:18 Lit. her from the time I was born), ISV — Job 31:18
19 if I’ve observed someone who is about to die for lack of clothes or if I have no clothing to give to the poor, ISV — Job 31:19
20 if he hadn’t thanked me from the bottom of his heart, i31:20 Lit. hadn’t blessed me from his loins if he had not been warmed by wool from my sheep, ISV — Job 31:20
21 if I’ve raised my hand against an orphan when I thought I would against him in court, j31:21 Lit. when I saw help for me at the gate, ISV — Job 31:21
22 then let my arm k31:22 Lit. side fall from its socket; and may my arm be torn off at the shoulder. ISV — Job 31:22
23 For I’m terrified of what calamity God may have in store for me; and I cannot endure his grandeur.” ISV — Job 31:23
24 “If I’ve put my confidence in gold, if I’ve told gold, ‘You’re my security,’ ISV — Job 31:24
25 if I’ve found joy in great wealth that I own, if I’ve earned a lot with my own hands, ISV — Job 31:25
26 if I look at the sun l31:26 Lit. light when it shines or the moon as it rises in steady splendor, ISV — Job 31:26
27 so that in the depths of my deceived heart I worshipped them with my mouth and hands, ISV — Job 31:27
28 this is also a sin that deserves to be judged, since I would have tried to deceive m31:28 Or have denied God above.” ISV — Job 31:28
29 “Have I rejoiced in the destruction of those who hate me, or have I been happy that evil caught up with him? ISV — Job 31:29
30 No, I haven’t allowed my mouth to sin by asking for his life n31:30 Lit. soul with a curse. ISV — Job 31:30
31 People in my household have said, ‘We cannot find anyone who has not been satisfied with his meat,’ haven’t they? ISV — Job 31:31
32 No stranger ever spent the night in the street, because I opened my doors to travelers.” ISV — Job 31:32
33 “Have I covered my transgression like other people, to conceal iniquity within myself? o31:33 Or bosom ISV — Job 31:33
34 Have I feared large crowds? Has my family’s contempt ever terrified me so that I remained silent and wouldn’t go outside?” ISV — Job 31:34
35 “Who will grant me a hearing? Here’s my signature p31:35 Lit. seal —let the Almighty answer! Since my adversary indicted me, ISV — Job 31:35
36 I’ll wear it on my shoulder, or tie it on my head for a crown! ISV — Job 31:36
37 I’ll give an account for every step I’ve taken; I’ll approach him confidently like a Commander-in-Chief.” q31:37 Lit. Nagid; i.e. a senior officer entrusted with dual roles of operational oversight and administrative authority ISV — Job 31:37
38 “If my land were to cry out against me or if all its furrows wept as one, ISV — Job 31:38
39 If I’ve consumed its produce r31:39 Lit. strength without paying for it and snuffed out the life of its owners; ISV — Job 31:39
40 may thorns spring up instead of wheat, and obnoxious weeds instead of barley.” With this, Job’s discourse with his friends s31:40 The Heb. lacks with his friends is completed. ISV — Job 31:40