> [[job-30|← Previous]] | [[job-00|TOC]] | [[job-32|Next →]] --- # Job, Chapter 31 ## Chapter 31 1 I made a covenant with my eyes ^job-31-1 not to gaze upon a virgin. 2 What portion comes from God above, ^job-31-2 what heritage from the Almighty on high? 3 Is it not calamity for the unrighteous, ^job-31-3 and woe for evildoers? 4 Does he not see my ways, ^job-31-4 and number all my steps? 5 If I have walked in falsehood ^job-31-5 and my foot has hastened to deceit, 6 Let God weigh me in the scales of justice; ^job-31-6 thus will he know my innocence! 7 If my steps have turned out of the way, ^job-31-7 and my heart has followed my eyes, or any stain clings to my hands, 8 Then may I sow, but another eat, ^job-31-8 and may my produce be rooted up! 9 If my heart has been enticed toward a woman, ^job-31-9 and I have lain in wait at my neighbor’s door; 10 Then may my wife grind for another, ^job-31-10 and may others kneel over her! 11 For that would be heinous, ^job-31-11 a crime to be condemned, 12 A fire that would consume down to Abaddon ^job-31-12 till it uprooted all my crops. 13 Had I refused justice to my manservant ^job-31-13 or to my maidservant, when they had a complaint against me, 14 What then should I do when God rises up? ^job-31-14 What could I answer when he demands an account? 15 Did not he who made me in the belly make him? ^job-31-15 Did not the same One fashion us in the womb? 16 If I have denied anything that the poor desired, ^job-31-16 or allowed the eyes of the widow to languish 17 While I ate my portion alone, ^job-31-17 with no share in it for the fatherless, 18 Though like a father he has reared me from my youth, ^job-31-18 guiding me even from my mother’s womb— 19 If I have seen a wanderer without clothing, ^job-31-19 or a poor man without covering, 20 Whose limbs have not blessed me ^job-31-20 when warmed with the fleece of my sheep; 21 If I have raised my hand against the innocent ^job-31-21 because I saw that I had supporters at the gate— 22 Then may my arm fall from the shoulder, ^job-31-22 my forearm be broken at the elbow! 23 For I dread calamity from God, ^job-31-23 and his majesty will overpower me. 24 Had I put my trust in gold ^job-31-24 or called fine gold my security; 25 Or had I rejoiced that my wealth was great, ^job-31-25 or that my hand had acquired abundance— 26 Had I looked upon the light as it shone, ^job-31-26 or the moon in the splendor of its progress, 27 And had my heart been secretly enticed ^job-31-27 to blow them a kiss with my hand, 28 This too would be a crime for condemnation, ^job-31-28 for I should have denied God above. 29 Had I rejoiced at the destruction of my enemy ^job-31-29 or exulted when evil came upon him, 30 Even though I had not allowed my mouth to sin ^job-31-30 by invoking a curse against his life— 31 Had not the men of my tent exclaimed, ^job-31-31 “Who has not been filled with his meat!” 32 No stranger lodged in the street, ^job-31-32 for I opened my door to wayfarers— 33 Had I, all too human, hidden my sins ^job-31-33 and buried my guilt in my bosom 34 Because I feared the great multitude ^job-31-34 and the scorn of the clans terrified me— then I should have remained silent, and not come out of doors! 35 Oh, that I had one to hear my case: ^job-31-35 here is my signature: let the Almighty answer me! Let my accuser write out his indictment! 36 Surely, I should wear it on my shoulder ^job-31-36 or put it on me like a diadem; 37 Of all my steps I should give him an account; ^job-31-37 like a prince I should present myself before him. 38 If my land has cried out against me ^job-31-38 till its furrows wept together; 39 If I have eaten its strength without payment ^job-31-39 and grieved the hearts of its tenants; 40 Then let the thorns grow instead of wheat ^job-31-40 and stinkweed instead of barley! The words of Job are ended. \* (31:5] – [34) In a series of purificatory oaths, Job protests his innocence. \* (31:12) Abaddon: see note on [26:6]. \* (31:18) He: presumably God. \* (31:21) Gate: cf. notes on [5:4]; [Ru 4:1]. \* (31:26] – [28) Light: of the sun. Job never sinned by worshiping the sun or the moon. Blow them a kiss: an act of idolatrous worship. \* (31:31) The members of his extended family will testify to his hospitality. \* (31:33] – [34) Job’s present protest is made, not in spite of hidden sins which he had been unwilling to disclose, but out of genuine innocence. All too human: can also be translated “like Adam.” \* (31:35] – [37) This concluding bravado fits better after v. [40a]. \* (31:35) My signature: lit., “*tau*,” the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, shaped like a cross. Job issues a subpoena to God, and challenges him to follow proper legal procedure as well. \* (31:36) On my shoulder: i.e., boldly, proudly. \* (31:37) Like a prince: not as a frightened criminal. a. (31:4) [Jb 14:16]; [34:21]; [Ps 139:3]; [Prv 5:21]. b. (31:6) [Jb 23:10]. c. (31:11) ([[exodus-20|Ex 20]]:14]; [Lv 20:10]; [Dt 22:22]. d. (31:12) [Sir 9:8] – [9]. e. (31:16] – [23) [Jb 29:12] – [16]. f. (31:26] – [27) [Dt 4:19]. g. (31:28) [Dt 17:2] – [7]. h. (31:29) [Prv 24:17]. i. (31:35) [Jb 19:23]; [23:3] – [7]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[job-30|← Previous]] | [[job-00|TOC]] | [[job-32|Next →]]