rsv Job:31:5-40 SEEK
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* "
If I have walked with falsehood ,
and my foot has hastened to deceit ;
* (
Let me be weighed in a just balance ,
and let God know my integrity !)
*
if my step has turned aside from the way ,
and my heart has gone after my eyes ,
and if any spot has cleaved to my hands ;
*
then let me sow ,
and another eat ;
and let what grows for me be rooted out .
* "
If my heart has been enticed to a woman ,
and I have lain in wait at my neighbor '
s door ;
*
then let my wife grind for another ,
and let others bow down upon her .
*
For that would be a heinous crime ;
that would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges ;
*
for that would be a fire which consumes unto Abaddon ,
and it would burn to the root all my increase .
* "
If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or my maidservant ,
when they brought a complaint against me ;
*
what then shall I do when God rises up ?
When he makes inquiry ,
what shall I answer him ?
*
Did not he who made me in the womb make him ?
And did not one fashion us in the womb ?
* "
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 his youth I reared him as a father ,
and from his mother '
s womb I guided him );
*
if I have seen any one perish for lack of clothing ,
or a poor man without covering ;
*
if his loins have 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 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 great ,
or because my hand had gotten 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 should have been false to God above .
* "
If I have rejoiced at the ruin of him that 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 , `
ho 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 wayfarer );
*
if I have concealed my transgressions from men ,
by hiding my iniquity in my bosom ,
*
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 caused the death of its owners ;
*
let thorns grow instead of wheat ,
and foul weeds instead of barley ."
The words of Job are ended .