1
I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I look intently upon a virgin?
2
For what is the portion from God above, and the inheritance of the Almighty from on high?
3
Is it not destruction for the wicked, and calamity for the workers of iniquity?
4
Does He not see my ways, and count all my steps?
5
If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot has hastened to deceit,
6
let me be weighed on just scales, that God may know my integrity.
7
If my step has turned aside from the way, or my heart walked after my eyes, or if any blemish has clung to my hands,
8
then let me sow, and another eat; yea, let my harvest be rooted out.
9
If my heart has been enticed by a woman, or if I have lurked at my neighbor's door,
10
then let my wife grind for another, and let others bow down over her.
11
For that would be wickedness; yea, it would be perversity deserving of judgment.
12
For that would be a fire that devours to Abaddon, and would root out all my increase.
13
If I despised the cause of my male or female servant when they have a dispute with me,
14
what then shall I do when the Mighty God rises up? When He reviews my case, what shall I answer Him?
15
Did not He who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same One fashion us in the womb?
16
If I have withheld from the poor their desire, or caused the eyes of the widow to fail,
17
or eaten my morsel by myself, and the fatherless has not eaten of it
18
(when from my youth, as a father I have raised him, and from my mother's womb I guided her);
19
if I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, or any poor man without covering;
20
if his heart has not blessed me, and if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;
21
if I have waved my hand against the fatherless, when I was looking after my help in the gate;
22
then let my shoulder fall from my back, and let my arm be broken from the joint.
23
For calamity from the Mighty God is a terror to me, and because of His majesty I could not do such things.
24
If I have made gold my hope, or said to fine gold, you are my confidence;
25
if I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because my hand had acquired much;
26
if I have observed the sun when it shines, or the moon moving in splendor,
27
so that my heart has been secretly enticed, and my mouth has kissed my hand;
28
this also would be a perversity deserving of judgment, for I would have denied the Mighty God above.
29
If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him who hated me, or been excited when evil found him
30
(indeed I have not allowed my mouth to sin, to request a curse upon his soul);
31
if the men of my tent have not said, who is there that is not satisfied with his flesh?
32
(no sojourner had to pass the night in the street, for I have opened my doors to the traveler);
33
if I have covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding my iniquity in my bosom,
34
then let me fear the great multitude, and let the contempt of families terrify me, and I will keep silent and not go out of the door.
35
Oh, that I had one to hear me! Behold, my desire is that the Almighty would answer me, that the man complaining had written an indictment!
36
Surely I would carry it on my shoulder, and bind it on me like a crown;
37
I would declare to Him the number of my steps; like a prince I would approach Him.
38
If my land cries out against me, or its furrows weep together;
39
if I have eaten its produce without money, or caused its owners to expire their souls;
40
then let thistles come forth instead of wheat, and weeds instead of barley. The words of Job are finished.
