1 I made a covenant with mine eyes; and how should I fix my regard upon a maid? 2 For what would have been my portion of +God from above, and what the heritage of the Almighty from on high? 3 Is not calamity for the unrighteous? and misfortune for the workers of iniquity? 4 Doth not he see my ways, and number all my steps? 5 If I have walked with falsehood, and my foot hath hasted to deceit, 6 (Let me be weighed in an even balance, and +God will take knowledge of my blamelessness;) 7 If my step have turned out of the way, and my heart followed mine eyes, and if any blot cleaveth to my hands; 8 Let me sow, and another eat; and let mine offspring be rooted out. 9 If my heart have been enticed unto a woman, so that I laid wait at my neighbour's door, 10 Let my wife grind for another, and let others bow down upon her. 11 For this is an infamy; yea, it is an iniquity to be judged by the judges: 12 For it is a fire that consumeth to destruction, and would root out all mine increase. 13 If I have despised the cause of my bondman or of my bondmaid, when they contended with me, 14 What then should I do when łGod riseth up? and if he visited, what should I answer him? 15 Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not One fashion us in the womb? 16 If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or caused the eyes of the widow to fail; 17 Or have eaten my morsel alone, so that the fatherless ate not thereof, 18 (For from my youth he grew up with me as with a father, and I have guided the widow from my mother's womb;) 19 If I have seen any perishing for want of clothing, or any needy without covering; 20 If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my lambs; 21 If I have lifted up my hand against an orphan, because I saw my help in the gate: 22 Then let my shoulder fall from the shoulder-blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone! 23 For calamity from łGod was a terror to me, and by reason of his excellency I was powerless. 24 If I have made gold my hope, or said to the fine gold, My confidence! 25 If I rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because my hand had gotten much; 26 If I beheld the sun when it shone, or the moon walking in brightness, 27 And my heart have been secretly enticed, so that my mouth kissed my hand: 28 This also would be an iniquity for the judge, for I should have denied the łGod who is above. 29 If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, and exulted when evil befell him; 30 (Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by asking his life with a curse;) 31 If the men of my tent said not, Who shall find one that hath not been satisfied with his meat? -- 32 The stranger did not lodge without; I opened my doors to the pathway. 33 If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom, 34 Because I feared the great multitude, and the contempt of families terrified me, so that I kept silence, and went not out of the door, ... 35 Oh that I had one to hear me! Behold my signature: let the Almighty answer me! And let mine opponent write an accusation! 36 Would I not take it upon my shoulder? I would bind it on to me as a crown; 37 I would declare unto him the number of my steps; as a prince would I come near to him. 38 If my land cry out against me, and its furrows weep together; 39 If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, and have tormented to death the souls of its owners: 40 Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and tares instead of barley. The words of Job are ended. | |