Job 31:16-40 - Compare All Versions

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“If I have denied the desires of the poor or let the eyes of the widow grow weary, if I have kept my bread to myself, not sharing it with the fatherless— but from my youth I reared them as a father would, and from my birth I guided the widow— if I have seen anyone perishing for lack of clothing, or the needy without garments, and their hearts did not bless me for warming them with the fleece from my sheep, if I have raised my hand against the fatherless, knowing that I had influence in court, then let my arm fall from the shoulder, let it be broken off at the joint. For I dreaded destruction from God, and for fear of his splendor I could not do such things. “If I have put my trust in gold or said to pure gold, ‘You are my security,’ if I have rejoiced over my great wealth, the fortune my hands had gained, if I have regarded the sun in its radiance or the moon moving in splendor, so that my heart was secretly enticed and my hand offered them a kiss of homage, then these also would be sins to be judged, for I would have been unfaithful to God on high. “If I have rejoiced at my enemy’s misfortune or gloated over the trouble that came to him— I have not allowed my mouth to sin by invoking a curse against their life— if those of my household have never said, ‘Who has not been filled with Job’s meat?’— but no stranger had to spend the night in the street, for my door was always open to the traveler— if I have concealed my sin as people do, by hiding my guilt in my heart because I so feared the crowd and so dreaded the contempt of the clans that I kept silent and would not go outside— (“Oh, that I had someone to hear me! I sign now my defense—let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser put his indictment in writing. Surely I would wear it on my shoulder, I would put it on like a crown. I would give him an account of my every step; I would present it to him as to a ruler.)— “if my land cries out against me and all its furrows are wet with tears, if I have devoured its yield without payment or broken the spirit of its tenants, then let briers come up instead of wheat and stinkweed instead of barley.” The words of Job are ended.

“If I have withheld anything that the poor desired, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail, or have eaten my morsel alone, and the fatherless has not eaten of it (for from my youth the fatherless grew up with me as with a father, and from my mother’s womb I guided the widow), if I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, or the needy without covering, if his body has not blessed me, and if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep, if I have raised my hand against the fatherless, because I saw my help in the gate, then let my shoulder blade fall from my shoulder, and let my arm be broken from its socket. For I was in terror of calamity from God, and I could not have faced his majesty. “If I have made gold my trust or called fine gold my confidence, if I have rejoiced because my wealth was abundant or because my hand had found much, if I have looked at the sun when it shone, or the moon moving in splendor, and my heart has been secretly enticed, and my mouth has kissed my hand, this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges, for I would have been false to God above. “If I have rejoiced at the ruin of him who hated me, or exulted when evil overtook him (I have not let my mouth sin by asking for his life with a curse), if the men of my tent have not said, ‘Who is there that has not been filled with his meat?’ (the sojourner has not lodged in the street; I have opened my doors to the traveler), if I have concealed my transgressions as others do by hiding my iniquity in my heart, because I stood in great fear of the multitude, and the contempt of families terrified me, so that I kept silence, and did not go out of doors— Oh, that I had one to hear me! (Here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me!) Oh, that I had the indictment written by my adversary! Surely I would carry it on my shoulder; I would bind it on me as a crown; I would give him an account of all my steps; like a prince I would approach him. “If my land has cried out against me and its furrows have wept together, if I have eaten its yield without payment and made its owners breathe their last, let thorns grow instead of wheat, and foul weeds instead of barley.”

“Have I refused to help the poor, or crushed the hopes of widows? Have I been stingy with my food and refused to share it with orphans? No, from childhood I have cared for orphans like a father, and all my life I have cared for widows. Whenever I saw the homeless without clothes and the needy with nothing to wear, did they not praise me for providing wool clothing to keep them warm? “If I raised my hand against an orphan, knowing the judges would take my side, then let my shoulder be wrenched out of place! Let my arm be torn from its socket! That would be better than facing God’s judgment. For if the majesty of God opposes me, what hope is there? “Have I put my trust in money or felt secure because of my gold? Have I gloated about my wealth and all that I own? “Have I looked at the sun shining in the skies, or the moon walking down its silver pathway, and been secretly enticed in my heart to throw kisses at them in worship? If so, I should be punished by the judges, for it would mean I had denied the God of heaven. “Have I ever rejoiced when disaster struck my enemies, or become excited when harm came their way? No, I have never sinned by cursing anyone or by asking for revenge. “My servants have never said, ‘He let others go hungry.’ I have never turned away a stranger but have opened my doors to everyone. “Have I tried to hide my sins like other people do, concealing my guilt in my heart? Have I feared the crowd or the contempt of the masses, so that I kept quiet and stayed indoors? “If only someone would listen to me! Look, I will sign my name to my defense. Let the Almighty answer me. Let my accuser write out the charges against me. I would face the accusation proudly. I would wear it like a crown. For I would tell him exactly what I have done. I would come before him like a prince. “If my land accuses me and all its furrows cry out together, or if I have stolen its crops or murdered its owners, then let thistles grow on that land instead of wheat, and weeds instead of barley.”

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.

If I have withheld the poor from their desire, Or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail; Or have eaten my morsel myself alone, And the fatherless hath not eaten thereof; (For from my youth he was brought up with me, as with a father, And I have guided her from my mother's womb;) If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, Or any poor without covering; If his loins have not blessed me, And if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep; If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, When I saw my help in the gate: Then let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, And mine arm be broken from the bone. For destruction from God was a terror to me, And by reason of his highness I could not endure. If I have made gold my hope, Or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence; If I rejoiced because my wealth was great, And because mine hand had gotten much; If I beheld the sun when it shined, Or the moon walking in brightness; And my heart hath been secretly enticed, Or my mouth hath kissed my hand: This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: For I should have denied the God that is above. If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, Or lifted up myself when evil found him: Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin By wishing a curse to his soul. If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied. The stranger did not lodge in the street: But I opened my doors to the traveller. If I covered my transgressions as Adam, By hiding mine iniquity in my bosom: Did I fear a great multitude, Or did the contempt of families terrify me, That I kept silence, and went not out of the door? Oh that one would hear me! Behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, And that mine adversary had written a book. Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, And bind it as a crown to me. I would declare unto him the number of my steps; As a prince would I go near unto him. If my land cry against me, Or that the furrows likewise thereof complain; If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, Or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life: Let thistles grow instead of wheat, And cockle instead of barley.

“If I have kept the poor from their desire, Or caused the eyes of the widow to fail, Or eaten my morsel by myself, So that the fatherless could not eat of it (But from my youth I reared him as a father, And from my mother’s womb I guided the widow); If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, Or any poor man without covering; If his heart has not blessed me, And if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep; If I have raised my hand against the fatherless, When I saw I had help in the gate; Then let my arm fall from my shoulder, Let my arm be torn from the socket. For destruction from God is a terror to me, And because of His magnificence I cannot endure. “If I have made gold my hope, Or said to fine gold, ‘You are my confidence’; If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, And because my hand had gained much; If I have observed the sun when it shines, Or the moon moving in brightness, So that my heart has been secretly enticed, And my mouth has kissed my hand; This also would be an iniquity deserving of judgment, For I would have denied God who is above. “If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him who hated me, Or lifted myself up when evil found him (Indeed I have not allowed my mouth to sin By asking for a curse on his soul); If the men of my tent have not said, ‘Who is there that has not been satisfied with his meat?’ (But no sojourner had to lodge in the street, For I have opened my doors to the traveler); If I have covered my transgressions as Adam, By hiding my iniquity in my bosom, Because I feared the great multitude, And dreaded the contempt of families, So that I kept silence And did not go out of the door— Oh, that I had one to hear me! Here is my mark. Oh, that the Almighty would answer me, That my Prosecutor had written a book! Surely I would carry it on my shoulder, And bind it on me like a crown; I would declare to Him the number of my steps; Like a prince I would approach Him. “If my land cries out against me, And its furrows weep together; If I have eaten its fruit without money, Or caused its owners to lose their lives; Then let thistles grow instead of wheat, And weeds instead of barley.” The words of Job are ended.

“Have I ignored the needs of the poor, turned my back on the indigent, Taken care of my own needs and fed my own face while they languished? Wasn’t my home always open to them? Weren’t they always welcome at my table? “Have I ever left a poor family shivering in the cold when they had no warm clothes? Didn’t the poor bless me when they saw me coming, knowing I’d brought coats from my closet? “If I’ve ever used my strength and influence to take advantage of the unfortunate, Go ahead, break both my arms, cut off all my fingers! The fear of God has kept me from these things— how else could I ever face him? “Did I set my heart on making big money or worship at the bank? Did I boast about my wealth, show off because I was well-off? Was I ever so awed by the sun’s brilliance and moved by the moon’s beauty That I let myself become seduced by them and worshiped them on the sly? If so, I would deserve the worst of punishments, for I would be betraying God himself. “Did I ever gloat over my enemy’s ruin? Or get excited over my rival’s bad luck? No, I never said a word of detraction, never cursed them, even under my breath. “Didn’t those who worked for me say, ‘He fed us well. There were always second helpings’? And no stranger ever had to spend a night in the street; my doors were always open to travelers. Did I hide my sin the way Adam did, or conceal my guilt behind closed doors Because I was afraid what people would say, fearing the gossip of the neighbors so much That I turned myself into a recluse? You know good and well that I didn’t. “Oh, if only someone would give me a hearing! I’ve signed my name to my defense—let the Almighty One answer! I want to see my indictment in writing. Anyone’s welcome to read my defense; I’ll write it on a poster and carry it around town. I’m prepared to account for every move I’ve ever made— to anyone and everyone, prince or pauper. “If the very ground that I farm accuses me, if even the furrows fill with tears from my abuse, If I’ve ever raped the earth for my own profit or dispossessed its rightful owners, Then curse it with thistles instead of wheat, curse it with weeds instead of barley.”

¶“If I have kept the poor from their desire, Or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail, Or have eaten my morsel alone, And the orphan has not shared it (But from my youth he grew up with me as with a father, And from my infancy I guided her), If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, Or that the needy had no covering, If his waist has not thanked me, And if he has not been warmed with the fleece of my sheep, If I have lifted up my hand against the orphan, Because I saw I had support in the gate, May my shoulder fall from its socket, And my arm be broken off at the elbow. “For disaster from God is a terror to me, And because of His majesty I can do nothing. ¶“If I have put my confidence in gold, And called fine gold my trust, If I have gloated because my wealth was great, And because my hand had obtained so much; If I have looked at the sun when it shone, Or the moon going in splendor, And my heart was secretly enticed, And my hand threw a kiss from my mouth, That too would have been a guilty deed calling for judgment, For I would have denied God above. ¶“Have I rejoiced at the misfortune of my enemy, Or become excited when evil found him? “No, I have not allowed my mouth to sin By asking for his life in a curse. “Have the people of my tent not said, ‘Who can find one who has not been satisfied with his meat’? “The stranger has not spent the night outside, For I have opened my doors to the traveler. “Have I covered my wrongdoings like a man, By hiding my guilt in my shirt pocket, Because I feared the great multitude And the contempt of families terrified me, And I kept silent and did not go out of doors? “Oh that I had one to hear me! Here is my signature; Let the Almighty answer me! And the indictment which my adversary has written, I would certainly carry it on my shoulder, I would tie it to myself like a garland. “I would declare to Him the number of my steps; Like a prince, I would approach Him. ¶“If my land cries out against me, And its furrows weep together; If I have eaten its fruit without money, Or have caused its owners to lose their lives, May the thorn-bush grow instead of wheat, And stinkweed instead of barley.” The words of Job are ended.

¶“If I have withheld from the poor what they desired, Or have caused the eyes of the widow to look in vain [for relief], Or have eaten my morsel [of food] alone, And did not share it with the orphan (But from my youth the orphan grew up with me as with a father, And from my mother’s womb I have been the widow’s guide), If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, Or any poor person without covering, If his loins have not thanked and blessed me [for clothing them], And if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep, If I have lifted my hand against the orphan, Because I saw [that the judges would be] my help at the [council] gate, Then let my shoulder fall away from its socket, And my arm be broken off at the elbow. “For tragedy from God is a terror to me, And because of His majesty and exaltation I can do nothing [nor endure facing Him]. [Is 13:6; Joel 1:15] ¶“If I have put my trust and confidence in gold, Or have declared fine gold my hope and assurance, If I gloated and rejoiced because my wealth was great, And because my [powerful] hand [alone] had obtained so much, If I beheld the sun [as an object of worship] when it shone Or the moon going in its splendor, And my heart became secretly enticed [by them], And my hand threw a kiss from my mouth [in respect to them], This also would have been [a heinous] sin calling for judgment, For I would have denied God above. [Deut 4:19; 17:2-7] ¶“Have I rejoiced at the destruction of the enemy [who hated me], Or exulted [in malicious triumph] when evil overtook him? “No, I have not allowed my mouth to sin By cursing my enemy and asking for his life. “I assure you, the men of my tent have said, ‘Who can find one [in need] who has not been satisfied with his meat’? “The stranger has not lodged in the street, Because I have opened my door to the traveler. “Have I concealed my transgressions like Adam or like other men, By hiding my wickedness in my bosom, 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? “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]. “Surely I would [proudly] bear it on my shoulder, And bind the scroll around my head like a crown. “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. ¶“For if my land has cried out against me, And its furrows weep together; If I have eaten its fruits without paying for them, Or have caused its [rightful] owners to lose their lives, Let thorns grow instead of wheat, And stinkweed and cockleburs instead of barley.” So the words of Job [with his friends] are finished.

If I have refused to give the poor what they desired, or caused the eyes of the widow to fail, If I ate my morsel of bread myself, and did not share any of it with orphans – but from my youth I raised the orphan like a father, and from my mother’s womb I guided the widow! If I have seen anyone about to perish for lack of clothing, or a poor man without a coat, whose heart did not bless me as he warmed himself with the fleece of my sheep, if I have raised my hand to vote against the orphan, when I saw my support in the court, then let my arm fall from the shoulder, let my arm be broken off at the socket. For the calamity from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his majesty I was powerless. “If I have put my confidence in gold or said to pure gold, ‘You are my security!’ if I have rejoiced because of the extent of my wealth, or because of the great wealth my hand had gained, if I looked at the sun when it was shining, and the moon advancing as a precious thing, so that my heart was secretly enticed, and my hand threw them a kiss from my mouth, then this also would be iniquity to be judged, for I would have been false to God above. If I have rejoiced over the misfortune of my enemy or exulted because calamity found him – I have not even permitted my mouth to sin by asking for his life through a curse – if the members of my household have never said, ‘If only there were someone who has not been satisfied from Job’s meat!’ – But no stranger had to spend the night outside, for I opened my doors to the traveler – if I have covered my transgressions as men do, by hiding iniquity in my heart, because I was terrified of the great multitude, and the contempt of families terrified me, so that I remained silent and would not go outdoors – “If only I had someone to hear me! Here is my signature – let the Almighty answer me! If only I had an indictment that my accuser had written. Surely I would wear it proudly on my shoulder, I would bind it on me like a crown; I would give him an accounting of my steps; like a prince I would approach him. “If my land cried out against me and all its furrows wept together, if I have eaten its produce without paying, or caused the death of its owners, then let thorns sprout up in place of wheat, and in place of barley, weeds!” The words of Job are ended.