31Job 31

CHAP. XXXI. / Iob maketh a solemne protestation of his integritie in seuerall dueties.

1I made a couenant with mine eyes; why then should I thinke vpon a mayd?Select Job 31:1

2For what portion of God is there from aboue? and what inheritance of the Almighty from on high?Select Job 31:2

3Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquitie?Select Job 31:3

4Doeth not he see my wayes, and count all my steps?Select Job 31:4

5If I haue walked with vanitie, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit;Select Job 31:5

6Let me bee weighed in an euen ballance, that God may know mine integritie.Select Job 31:6

7If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaued to my hands:Select Job 31:7

8Then let mee sow, and let another eate, yea let my off-spring be rooted out.Select Job 31:8

9If mine heart haue bene deceiued by a woman, or if I haue layde wait at my neighbours doore:Select Job 31:9

10Then let my wife grind vnto another, and let others bow downe vpon her.Select Job 31:10

11For this is an heinous crime, yea, it is an iniquitie to bee punished by the Iudges.Select Job 31:11

12For it is a fire that consumeth to destruction, and would roote out all mine encrease.Select Job 31:12

13If I did despise the cause of my man-seruant, or of my mayd-seruant, when they contended with me:Select Job 31:13

14What then shall I do, when God riseth vp? and when hee visiteth, what shall I answere him?Select Job 31:14

15Did not hee that made mee in the wombe, make him? and did not one fashion vs in the wombe?Select Job 31:15

16If I haue withhelde the poore from their desire, or haue caused the eyes of the widow to faile:Select Job 31:16

17Or haue eaten my morsell my selfe alone, and the fatherlesse hath not eaten thereof:Select Job 31:17

18(For from my youth hee was brought vp with me as with a father, and I haue guided her from my mothers wombe.)Select Job 31:18

19If I haue seene any perish for want of cloathing, or any poore without couering:Select Job 31:19

20If his loynes haue not blessed me, and if hee were not warmed with the fleece of my sheepe:Select Job 31:20

21If I haue lift vp my hand against the fatherlesse, when I saw my helpe in the gate:Select Job 31:21

22Then let mine arme fall from my shoulder-blade, and mine arme be broken from the bone.Select Job 31:22

23For destruction from God was a terrour to mee: and by reason of his highnesse, I could not endure.Select Job 31:23

24If I haue made golde my hope, or haue said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence:Select Job 31:24

25If I reioyced because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten much:Select Job 31:25

26If I beheld the Sunne when it shined, or the Moone walking in brightnesse:Select Job 31:26

27And my heart hath bene secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand:Select Job 31:27

28This also were an iniquitie to be punished by the Iudge: For I should haue denied the God that is aboue.Select Job 31:28

29If I reioyced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lift vp my selfe when euill found him:Select Job 31:29

30(Neither haue I suffered my mouth to sinne by wishing a curse to his soule.)Select Job 31:30

31If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh that we had of his flesh! wee cannot be satisfied.Select Job 31:31

32The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doores to the trauailer.Select Job 31:32

33If I couered my transgressions, as Adam: by hiding mine iniquitie in my bosome:Select Job 31:33

34Did I feare a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrifie me: that I kept silence, and went not out of the doore?Select Job 31:34

35O that one would heare me! beholde, my desire is, that the Almightie would answere me, and that mine aduersary had written a booke.Select Job 31:35

36Surely I would take it vpon my shoulder, and bind it as a crowne to me.Select Job 31:36

37I would declare vnto him the number of my steps, as a prince would I goe neere vnto him.Select Job 31:37

38If my land cry against me, or that the furrowes likewise thereof complaine:Select Job 31:38

39If I haue eaten the fruits thereof without money, or haue caused the owners thereof to loose their life:Select Job 31:39

40Let thistles grow in stead of wheat, and cockle in stead of barley. The words of Iob are ended.Select Job 31:40