| Chapter 31 |
1 |
I Made a covenant with my eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? -
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2 |
For what portion of God is there from above? and what inheritance of the Almighty from on high? -
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3 |
Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity? -
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4 |
Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps? -
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5 |
If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit; -
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6 |
Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know my integrity. -
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7 |
If my step hath turned out of the way, and my heart walked after my eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to my hands; -
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8 |
Then let me sow, and let another eat; yes, let my offspring be rooted out. -
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9 |
If my heart hath been deceived by a woman, or if I have laid wait at my neighbor's door; -
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10 |
Then let my wife grind to another, and let others bow down upon her. -
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11 |
For this is a hainous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges. -
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12 |
For it is a fire that consumeth to destruction, and would root out all my increase. -
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13 |
If I despised the cause of my man-servant or of my maid-servant, when they contended with me; -
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14 |
What then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him? -
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15 |
Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb? -
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16 |
If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail; -
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17 |
Or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten of it; -
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18 |
(For from my youth he was brought up with me, as with a father, and I have guided her from my mother's womb;) -
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19 |
If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering; -
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20 |
If his loins have not blessed me, and if he hath not been 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 my help in the gate: -
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22 |
Then let my arm fall from my shoulder-blade, and my arm be broken from the bone. -
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23 |
For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure. -
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24 |
If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence; -
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25 |
If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because my hand had gained much; -
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26 |
If I have beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness; -
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27 |
And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand: -
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28 |
This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above. -
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29 |
If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or have lifted up myself when evil found him: -
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30 |
Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul. -
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31 |
If the men of my tabernacle have not said, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied. -
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32 |
The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveler. -
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33 |
If I have covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding my iniquity in my bosom: -
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34 |
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? -
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35 |
Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that my adversary had written a book. -
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36 |
Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, and bind it as a crown to me. -
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37 |
I would declare to him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near to him. -
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38 |
If my land crieth against me, or its furrows likewise complain; -
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39 |
If I have eaten the fruits of it without money, or have caused its owners to lose their life: -
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40 |
Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended. -
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