Job 31:19-40 ▼

19 If I haue seene any perishe for want of clothing, or any poore for lake of rayment:

20 If his loynes haue not blessed me, because he was warmed with the fleece of my sheepe:

21 If I haue lift vp mine hand against the fatherlesse, when I sawe that I might helpe him in the gate:

22 Then let myne arme fall fro my shoulder, and myne arme holes be broken from the bone.

23 For I haue euer feared the vengeaunce and punishment of God, and knewe very well that I was not able to beare his burthen.

24 Haue I put my trust in golde? or haue I sayde to the wedge of golde, thou art my confidence?

25 Haue I reioyced because my power was great, and because my hande gat so much?

26 Dyd I euer greatly regarde the rysing of the sunne? or had I the goyng downe of the moone in great reputation?

27 Hath my heart medled priuyly with any disceite? or did I euer kisse myne owne hande?

28 (That were a wickednesse worthy to be punished: for then shoulde I haue denyed the God that is aboue.)

29 Haue I euer reioyced at the hurt of myne enemie? or was I euer glad that any harme happened vnto him? Oh, no.

30 I neuer suffred my mouth to sinne, by wishing a curse to his soule.

31 Dyd not the men of myne owne housholde say, Who shall let vs to haue our belly full of his fleshe?

32 The straunger dyd not lodge in the streete, but I opened my doores vnto him that went by the way.

33 Haue I kept secrete my sinne, and hyd myne iniquitie, as Adam dyd?

34 Though I coulde haue made afeard a great multitude, yet the most contemptible of the families dyd feare me: so I kept scilence, and went not out of the doore.

35 O that I had one which woulde heare me: beholde my signe in the whiche the almightie shal aunswere for me, though he that is my contrarie partie hath written a booke against me.

36 Yet will I take it vpon my shoulder, & as a garlande binde it about my head.

37 I will tell hym the number of my goinges, & go vnto him as to a prince.

38 But if case be that my lande crye against me, or that the forowes thereof make any complaynt:

39 If I haue eaten the fruites therof vnpayed for, yea if I haue greeued the soules of the maisters therof:

40 Then let thystles growe in steede of my wheate, and cockle for my barlye.