Job 31:29-40 ▼

29 “Have I rejoiced at the destruction of the enemy [who hated me], Or exulted [in malicious triumph] when evil overtook him?

30 “No, I have not allowed my mouth to sin By cursing my enemy and asking for his life.

31 “I assure you, the men of my tent have said, ‘Who can find one [in need] who has not been satisfied with his meat’?

32 “The stranger has not lodged in the street, Because I have opened my door to the traveler.

33 “Have I concealed my transgressions like Adam or like other men, By hiding my wickedness in my bosom,

34 Because I feared the great multitude, And the contempt of families terrified me, So that I kept silence and did not acknowledge my sin and did not go out of the door?

35 “Oh, that I had one to listen to me! Look, here is my signature (mark); Let the Almighty answer me! Let my adversary write out His indictment [and put His vague accusations in tangible form].

36 “Surely I would [proudly] bear it on my shoulder, And bind the scroll around my head like a crown.

37 “I would count out to Him the number of my steps [with every detail of my life], Approaching His presence as if I were a prince.

38 “For if my land has cried out against me, And its furrows weep together;

39 If I have eaten its fruits without paying for them, Or have caused its [rightful] owners to lose their lives,

40 Let thorns grow instead of wheat, And stinkweed and cockleburs instead of barley.” So the words of Job [with his friends] are finished.