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[1]I MADE a vow with my eyes that I would never lust after a virgin. |
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[2]For what portion would I have then from God who is above, and what heritage from the Almighty who is on high? |
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[3]For it is destruction to the wicked, and punishment to the workers of iniquity. |
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[4]He sees my ways, and counts all my steps. |
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[5]If I have walked with hypocrites, or if my foot hastened to deceit; |
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[6]Let me be weighed in a just balance, that God may know my integrity. |
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[7]I have not turned aside my steps from the way, and my heart has not followed after my eyes, and I have acquired nothing unjustly; |
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[8]But when I sowed, then I ate, and when I planted, then I cultivated and gathered the crops |
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[9]And if my heart has been enticed by a strange woman, or if I have lain in wait at my neighbor's door; |
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[10]Then let my wife grind for another, and let her bake bread at another man's place, |
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[11]For this is a heinous crime; yea, such an eye devises a crafty scheme. |
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[12]For passion is a fire that consumes to destruction, and it would root out all my increase. |
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[13]If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or my maidservant, when he contended with me, |
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[14]Without saying, What then shall I do when God rises up in judgment, and when he inquires, what shall I answer him? |
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[15](For, behold, he who made me in the womb made him, and he created us in the same womb) |
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[16]If I have withheld the poor from his desire, or have defrauded the widow, |
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[17]Or have eaten my bread alone, and the orphans did not eat of it |
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[18](Because from my youth I was brought up in sorrows, and from my mother's womb with sighing); |
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[19]If I have seen anyone perishing for want of clothing, or any poor without covering |
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[20](But they were reared upon my knees, and were warmed with the fleece of my sheep); |
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[21]If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless (when I saw him at the door I helped him); |
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[22]Then let my arm fall from my shoulder blade, and let it be broken from the bone. |
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[23]For the fear of God made me to tremble, and affliction from him came upon me, and because of terror I was unable to rise up |
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[24]If I have made gold my trust, or said about the precious stones, You are my confidence; or have said about fine gold, You are my hope; |
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[25]If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because my hand had gotten much; |
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[26]If I have adored the sun when it shone, or the moon when in full brightness; |
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[27]And if my heart has been secretly enticed, if I have consented to wrongdoings; |
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[28]Then God has seen my crafty ways, and I have lied before him. |
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[29]If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him who hated me, or exulted myself when misfortune befell him; |
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[30](But I have neither suffered my mouth to sin, nor has my soul wished for any of these things; |
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[31]My friends said, Oh this man would give us even of his own flesh! but we are not satisfied, |
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[32]And the stranger I did not let lodge in the street, and I opened my door to the guest) |
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[33]If I have covered up my sins like some men, or if I have hid my guilt in secret places; |
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[34]If I have trampled upon the rights of the others (but on the contrary, it is the multitude of families which has ruined me. Nor have I turned away anyone at the door; or engaged in gossip) let the provocations of God lay me low! |
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[35]O that one would hear me! If God is present, let him answer me, and let him write the sentence in a book. |
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[36]Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, and make it a crown to me. |
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[37]I would declare to him the number of my steps; as a prince I would go near to him. |
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[38]Let the earth lament over me, let its furrows weep together, |
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[39]If I have eaten its fruits without money; or if I have grieved one whose life is bitter, |
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[40]Then let thistles grow instead of wheat and thorns instead of barley. The words of Job are ended |