Job 31:19
New International Version
if I have seen anyone perishing for lack of clothing, or the needy without garments,

New Living Translation
Whenever I saw the homeless without clothes and the needy with nothing to wear,

English Standard Version
if I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, or the needy without covering,

Berean Standard Bible
if I have seen one perish for lack of clothing, or a needy man without a cloak,

King James Bible
If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering;

New King James Version
If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, Or any poor man without covering;

New American Standard Bible
If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, Or that the needy had no covering,

NASB 1995
If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, Or that the needy had no covering,

NASB 1977
If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, Or that the needy had no covering,

Legacy Standard Bible
If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, Or that the needy had no covering,

Amplified Bible
If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, Or any poor person without covering,

Christian Standard Bible
if I have seen anyone dying for lack of clothing or a needy person without a cloak,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
if I have seen anyone dying for lack of clothing or a needy person without a cloak,

American Standard Version
If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, Or that the needy had no covering;

Contemporary English Version
I provided clothes for the poor,

English Revised Version
If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or that the needy had no covering;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If I have seen anyone die because he had no clothes or a poor person going naked....

Good News Translation
When I found someone in need, too poor to buy clothes,

International Standard Version
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,

Majority Standard Bible
if I have seen one perish for lack of clothing, or a needy man without a cloak,

NET Bible
If I have seen anyone about to perish for lack of clothing, or a poor man without a coat,

New Heart English Bible
if I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or that the needy had no covering;

Webster's Bible Translation
If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering;

World English Bible
if I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or that the needy had no covering;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
If I see [any] perishing without clothing, "" And there is no covering for the needy,

Young's Literal Translation
If I see any perishing without clothing, And there is no covering to the needy,

Smith's Literal Translation
If I shall see one perishing from not being clothed, and no covering to the needy;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If I have despised him that was perishing for want of clothing, and the poor man that had no covering:

Catholic Public Domain Version
if I have looked down on him who was perishing because he had no clothing and the poor without any covering,

New American Bible
If I have seen a wanderer without clothing, or a poor man without covering,

New Revised Standard Version
if I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, or a poor person without covering,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
If I have seen anyone perishing for want of clothing, or any poor without covering

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
If I have seen one lost who was without clothing, and the afflicted without a cloak
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
If I have seen any wanderer in want of clothing, Or that the needy had no covering;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And if too I overlooked the naked as he was perishing, and did not clothe him;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Job's Final Appeal
18though from my youth I reared him as would a father, and from my mother’s womb I guided the widow— 19if I have seen one perish for lack of clothing, or a needy man without a cloak, 20if his heart has not blessed me for warming him with the fleece of my sheep,…

Cross References
Proverbs 21:13
Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.

Isaiah 58:7
Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

James 2:15-16
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. / If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that?

Matthew 25:35-36
For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, / I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’

1 John 3:17
If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?

Luke 3:11
John replied, “Whoever has two tunics should share with him who has none, and whoever has food should do the same.”

Deuteronomy 15:7-8
If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, then you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother. / Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him whatever he needs.

Proverbs 19:17
Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.

Galatians 6:10
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.

Hebrews 13:16
And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Matthew 5:42
Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Acts 20:35
In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Romans 12:13
Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.

2 Corinthians 9:9
As it is written: “He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.”

Isaiah 58:10
and if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light will go forth in the darkness, and your night will be like noonday.


Treasury of Scripture

If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering;

Job 22:6
For thou hast taken a pledge from thy brother for nought, and stripped the naked of their clothing.

2 Chronicles 28:15
And the men which were expressed by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and gave them to eat and to drink, and anointed them, and carried all the feeble of them upon asses, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their brethren: then they returned to Samaria.

Isaiah 58:7
Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

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Job 31
1. Job makes a solemn protestation of his integrity in several duties














if I have seen
The phrase "if I have seen" suggests a personal witness or observation. In the Hebrew text, the word used is "רָאִיתִי" (ra'iti), which means to see or perceive. This implies an active engagement with the world around Job, highlighting his awareness and attentiveness to the needs of others. In a conservative Christian perspective, this reflects the call for believers to be vigilant and compassionate, actively seeking to understand and address the needs of those around them.

anyone perishing
The term "perishing" comes from the Hebrew root "אָבַד" (avad), meaning to be lost, destroyed, or to perish. This word conveys a sense of urgency and desperation, emphasizing the dire circumstances of those in need. Historically, the community was responsible for the welfare of its members, and Job's acknowledgment of those "perishing" underscores his moral and ethical responsibility to intervene and provide aid.

for lack of clothing
Clothing in ancient times was not only a necessity for protection against the elements but also a symbol of dignity and social status. The Hebrew word "בִּלְבוּשׁ" (bilbush) refers to garments or clothing. Job's reference to "lack of clothing" highlights the basic human need for warmth and dignity. In a biblical context, providing clothing is an act of mercy and compassion, reflecting God's provision for humanity.

or a needy man
The phrase "needy man" translates from the Hebrew "אֶבְיוֹן" (evyon), which denotes someone who is poor or destitute. This term is often used in the Old Testament to describe those who are economically disadvantaged and reliant on the charity of others. Job's mention of the "needy man" reflects his awareness of social justice and the biblical mandate to care for the poor, as seen in passages like Deuteronomy 15:11.

without a cloak
The "cloak" in ancient times was an essential garment, often used as a blanket at night. The Hebrew word "כְּסוּת" (kesut) refers to a covering or garment. In the cultural and historical context, withholding a cloak from someone in need was considered a grave injustice, as it left them vulnerable to the elements. Job's concern for those "without a cloak" demonstrates his commitment to righteousness and his understanding of the importance of providing for the basic needs of others.

(19) If I have seen any perish for want of.--Or, any wanderer without.

Verse 19. - If I have seen any perish for want of clothing (scrap. Job 22:6, where Eliphaz taxes Job with so acting; and, on the duty of clothing the naked, see Isaiah 58:7; Ezekiel 18:7, 16; Matthew 25:36). Or any poor without covering. A pleonastic parallelism.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
if
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

I have seen
אֶרְאֶ֣ה (’er·’eh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7200: To see

one perish
א֭וֹבֵד (’ō·w·ḇêḏ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6: To wander away, lose oneself, to perish

for lack
מִבְּלִ֣י (mib·bə·lî)
Preposition-m | Adverb
Strong's 1097: Failure, nothing, destruction, without, not yet, because not, as long as

of clothing,
לְב֑וּשׁ (lə·ḇūš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3830: A garment, clothing, raiment

or a needy man
לָאֶבְיֽוֹן׃ (lā·’eḇ·yō·wn)
Preposition-l, Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 34: In want, needy, poor

without
וְאֵ֥ין (wə·’ên)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

a cloak,
כְּ֝ס֗וּת (kə·sūṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3682: A cover, a veiling


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OT Poetry: Job 31:19 If I have seen any perish (Jb)
Job 31:18
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