3.5 KiB
Chapter 31
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I have made a covenant with my eyes. How then could I look at a young woman?
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For what portion would I have from God above, or what inheritance from the Almighty on high?
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Doesn't disaster come to the unjust and misfortune to evildoers?
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Does he not see my ways and number all my steps?
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If I have walked in falsehood or my foot has rushed to deceit,
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let God weigh me on accurate scales, and he will recognize my integrity.
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If my step has turned from the way, my heart has followed my eyes, or impurity has stained my hands,
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let someone else eat what I have sown, and let my crops be uprooted.
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If my heart has gone astray over a woman or I have lurked at my neighbor's door,
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let my own wife grind grain for another man, and let other men sleep with her.
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For that would be a disgrace; it would be an iniquity deserving punishment.
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For it is a fire that consumes down to Abaddon; it would destroy my entire harvest.
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If I have dismissed the case of my male or female servants when they made a complaint against me,
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what could I do when God stands up to judge? How should I answer him when he calls me to account?
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Did not the one who made me in the womb also make them? Did not the same God form us both in the womb?
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If I have refused the wishes of the poor or let the widow's eyes go blind,
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if I have eaten my few crumbs alone without letting the fatherless eat any of it--
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for from my youth, I raised him as his father, and since the day I was born I guided the widow--
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if I have seen anyone dying for lack of clothing or a needy person without a cloak,
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if he did not bless me while warming himself with the fleece from my sheep,
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if I ever cast my vote against a fatherless child when I saw that I had support in the city gate,
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then let my shoulder blade fall from my back, and my arm be pulled from its socket.
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For disaster from God terrifies me, and because of his majesty I could not do these things.
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If I placed my confidence in gold or called fine gold my trust,
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if I have rejoiced because my wealth is great or because my own hand has acquired so much,
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if I have gazed at the sun when it was shining or at the moon moving in splendor,
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so that my heart was secretly enticed and I threw them a kiss,
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this would also be an iniquity deserving punishment, for I would have denied God above.
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Have I rejoiced over my enemy's distress, or become excited when trouble came his way?
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I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking for his life with a curse.
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Haven't the members of my household said, "Who is there who has not had enough to eat at Job's table?"
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No stranger had to spend the night on the street, for I opened my door to the traveler.
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Have I covered my transgressions as others do by hiding my iniquity in my heart
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because I greatly feared the crowds and because the contempt of the clans terrified me, so I grew silent and would not go outside?
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If only I had someone to hear my case! Here is my signature; let the Almighty answer me. Let my Opponent compose his indictment.
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I would surely carry it on my shoulder and wear it like a crown.
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I would give him an account of all my steps; I would approach him like a prince.
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If my land cries out against me and its furrows join in weeping,
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if I have consumed its produce without payment or shown contempt for its tenants,
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then let thorns grow instead of wheat and stinkweed instead of barley. The words of Job are concluded.