Job 31

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