or what inheritance from the Almighty on high?
3Doesn’t disaster come to the unjust
and misfortune to evildoers?
4Does he not see my ways
5If I have walked in falsehood
or my foot has rushed to deceit,
7If my step has turned from the way,
my heart has followed my eyes,
8let someone else eat what I have sown,
9If my heart has gone astray over a woman
or I have lurked at my neighbor’s door,
10let my own wife grind grain for another man,
and let other men sleep with31:10 Lit men kneel down over her.
11For that would be a disgrace;
12For it is a fire that consumes down to Abaddon;
it would destroy my entire harvest.31:12 Jb 26:6; 28:22; Pr 6:27–29
13If I have dismissed the case of my male or female servants
when they made a complaint against me,
14what could I do when God stands up to judge?
How should I answer him when he calls me to account?
15Did not the one who made me in the womb also make them?
16If I have refused the wishes of the poor
17if I have eaten my few crumbs alone
without letting the fatherless eat any of it —
18for from my youth, I raised him as his father,
and since the day I was born31:18 Lit and from my mother’s womb I guided the widow —
19if I have seen anyone dying for lack of clothing
20if he31:20 Lit his loins did not bless me
while warming himself with the fleece from my sheep,
21if I ever cast my vote31:21 Lit I raise my hand against a fatherless child
22then let my shoulder blade fall from my back,
and my arm be pulled from its socket.
23For disaster from God terrifies me,
24If I placed my confidence in gold
25if I have rejoiced because my wealth is great
or because my own hand has acquired so much,
26if I have gazed at the sun when it was shining
27so that my heart was secretly enticed
and I threw them a kiss,31:27 Lit and my hand kissed my mouth
28this would also be an iniquity deserving punishment,
for I would have denied God above.
29Have I rejoiced over my enemy’s distress,
or become excited when trouble came his way?
30I have not allowed my mouth to sin
by asking for his life with a curse.
31Haven’t the members of my household said,
“Who is there who has not had enough to eat at Job’s table?”
32No stranger had to spend the night on the street,
for I opened my door to the traveler.
by hiding my iniquity in my heart31:33 Ps 32:3–5; Pr 28:13; 1Jn 1:8–10
34because I greatly feared the crowds
and because the contempt of the clans terrified me,
so I grew silent and would not go outside?
Here is my signature; let the Almighty answer me.
Let my Opponent compose his indictment.
36I would surely carry it on my shoulder
37I would give him an account of all my steps;
I would approach him like a prince.
38If my land cries out against me
and its furrows join in weeping,
39if I have consumed its produce without payment
or shown contempt for its tenants,31:39 Lit or caused the breath of its tenants to breathe out
The words of Job are concluded.
Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard
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