Job 31:24-40 ▼

24 |If I have put my confidence in gold or said to pure gold, 'You are my security!'

25 if I have rejoiced because of the extent of my wealth, or because of the great wealth my hand had gained,

26 if I looked at the sun when it was shining, and the moon advancing as a precious thing,

27 so that my heart was secretly enticed, and my hand threw them a kiss from my mouth,

28 then this also would be iniquity to be judged, for I would have been false to God above.

29 If I have rejoiced over the misfortune of my enemy or exulted because calamity found him--

30 I have not even permitted my mouth to sin by asking for his life through a curse--

31 if the members of my household have never said, 'If only there were someone who has not been satisfied from Job's meat!'--

32 But no stranger had to spend the night outside, for I opened my doors to the traveler--

33 if I have covered my transgressions as men do, by hiding iniquity in my heart,

34 because I was terrified of the great multitude, and the contempt of families terrified me, so that I remained silent and would not go outdoors--

35 |If only I had someone to hear me! Here is my signature--let the Almighty answer me! If only I had an indictment that my accuser had written.

36 Surely I would wear it proudly on my shoulder, I would bind it on me like a crown;

37 I would give him an accounting of my steps; like a prince I would approach him.

38 |If my land cried out against me and all its furrows wept together,

39 if I have eaten its produce without paying, or caused the death of its owners,

40 then let thorns sprout up in place of wheat, and in place of barley, weeds!| The words of Job are ended.