Job 31:16-40

If I have refused the wishes of the poor or let the widow’s   eyes go blind, if I have eaten my few crumbs alone without letting the fatherless eat any of it — for from my youth, I raised him as his father, and since the day I was born  I guided the widow — if I have seen anyone dying for lack of clothing or a needy person without a cloak,  if he  did not bless me while warming himself with the fleece from my sheep, if I ever cast my vote  against a fatherless child when I saw that I had support in the city gate,  then let my shoulder blade fall from my back, and my arm be pulled from its socket. For disaster from God terrifies me, and because of his majesty I could not do these things.  If I placed my confidence in gold or called fine gold my trust,  if I have rejoiced because my wealth is great or because my own hand has acquired so much, if I have gazed at the sun when it was shining or at the moon moving in splendor,  so that my heart was secretly enticed and I threw them a kiss,  this would also be an iniquity deserving punishment, for I would have denied God above. Have I rejoiced over my enemy’s distress, or become excited when trouble came his way? I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking for his life with a curse. Haven’t the members of my household said, “Who is there who has not had enough to eat at Job’s table? ” No stranger had to spend the night on the street, for I opened my door to the traveler. Have I covered my transgressions  as others do  by hiding my iniquity in my heart  because I greatly feared the crowds and because the contempt of the clans terrified me, so I grew silent and would not go outside? If only I had someone to hear my case!  Here is my signature; let the Almighty answer me. Let my Opponent compose his indictment. I would surely carry it on my shoulder and wear it like a crown.  I would give him an account of all my steps; I would approach him like a prince. If my land cries out against me and its furrows join in weeping, if I have consumed its produce without payment or shown contempt for its tenants,  then let thorns  grow instead of wheat and stinkweed  instead of barley. The words of Job are concluded.