31:1 If I have made an agreement with my eyes and entertained any thoughts against a maiden;
31:2 But what is man’s lot from God above, his inheritance from the Almighty on high?
31:3 Is it not calamity for the unrighteous, and woe for evildoers?
31:4 Does he not see my ways, and number all my steps?
31:6 Let God weigh me in the scales of justice; thus will he know my innocence!
31:5 If I have walked in falsehood and my foot has hastened to deceit;
31:7 If my steps have turned out of the way, and my heart has followed my eyes, or any stain clings to my hands,
31:8 Then may I sow, but another eat of it, or may my planting be rooted up!
31:9 If my heart has been enticed toward a woman, and I have lain in wait at my neighbor’s door;
31:10 Then may my wife grind for another, and may others cohabit with her!
31:11 For that would be heinous, a crime to be condemned;
31:12 A fire that should burn down to the abyss till it consumed all my possessions to the roots.
31:13 Had I refused justice to my manservant or to my maid, when they had a claim against me,
31:14 What then should I do when God rose up; what could I answer when he demanded an account?
31:15 Did not he who made me in the womb make him? Did not the same One fashion us before our birth?
31:16 If I have denied anything to the poor, or allowed the eyes of the widow to languish
31:17 While I ate my portion alone, with no share in it for the fatherless,
31:18 Though like a father God has reared me from my youth, guiding me even from my mother’s womb -
31:19 If I have seen a wanderer without clothing, or a poor man without covering,
31:20 Whose limbs have not blessed me when warmed with the fleece of my sheep;
31:21 If I have raised my hand against the innocent because I saw that I had supporters at the gate -
31:22 Then may my arm fall from the shoulder, my forearm be broken at the elbow!
31:23 For the dread of God will be upon me, and his majesty will overpower me.
31:24 Had I put my trust in gold or called fine gold my security;
31:25 Or had I rejoiced that my wealth was great, or that my hand had acquired abundance -
31:26 Had I looked upon the sun as it shone, or the moon in the splendor of its progress,
31:27 And had my heart been secretly enticed to waft them a kiss with my hand;
31:28 This too would be a crime for condemnation, for I should have denied God above.
31:29 Had I rejoiced at the destruction of my enemy or exulted when evil fell upon him,
31:30 Even though I had not suffered my mouth to sin by uttering a curse against his life -
31:31 Had not the men of my tent exclaimed, "Who has not been fed with his meat!"
31:32 Because no stranger lodged in the street, but I opened my door to wayfarers -
31:33 Had I, out of human weakness, hidden my sins and buried my guilt in my bosom
31:34 Because I feared the noisy multitude and the scorn of the tribes terrified me - then I should have remained silent, and not come out of doors!
31:35 Oh, that I had one to hear my case, and that my accuser would write out his indictment!
31:36 Surely, I should wear it on my shoulder or put it on me like a diadem;
31:37 Of all my steps I should give him an account; like a prince I should present myself before him. This is my final plea; let the Almighty answer me! The words of Job are ended.
31:38 If my land has cried out against me till its very furrows complained;
31:39 If I have eaten its produce without payment and grieved the hearts of its tenants;
31:40 Then let the thistles grow instead of wheat and noxious weeds instead of barley!