Job 31:24-40 ▼

24 If I have made gold my hope, or said to the fine gold, My confidence!

25 If I rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because my hand had gotten much;

26 If I beheld the sun when it shone, or the moon walking in brightness,

27 And my heart have been secretly enticed, so that my mouth kissed my hand:

28 This also would be an iniquity for the judge, for I should have denied the God who is above.

29 If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, and exulted when evil befell him;

30 (Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by asking his life with a curse;)

31 If the men of my tent said not, Who shall find one that hath not been satisfied with his meat? --

32 The stranger did not lodge without; I opened my doors to the pathway.

33 If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom,

34 Because I feared the great multitude, and the contempt of families terrified me, so that I kept silence, and went not out of the door, ...

35 Oh that I had one to hear me! Behold my signature: let the Almighty answer me! And let mine opponent write an accusation!

36 Would I not take it upon my shoulder? I would bind it on to me [as] a crown;

37 I would declare unto him the number of my steps; as a prince would I come near to him.

38 If my land cry out against me, and its furrows weep together;

39 If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, and have tormented to death the souls of its owners:

40 Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and tares instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.