KJ3 Literal Translation
Job 31
Job makes a solemn protest of his integrity in several duties.
1¶ I made a covenant with my eyes, and how could I look intently on a virgin?
2For what is the portion from God above, and what is the legacy from the Almighty on high?
3Is it not disaster to the perverse one, and calamity to the workers of iniquity?
4Does He not see my ways and count all my steps?
5If I have walked with vanity, or my foot has hurried to deceit,
6let me be weighed in just scales, and that God may know my integrity.
7If my step has turned aside out of the way, or my heart has walked after my eyes, and if any spot has clung to my palm,
8let me sow, and let another eat; and let my offspring be uprooted.
9¶ If my heart has been enticed by a woman; or I laid in wait at my neighbor's door,
10let my wife grind to another, and let others crouch over her.
11For that would be an evil purpose, and it is iniquity for the judges.
12For it is a fire that devours to the Place of Ruin, and it would root up all my gain.
13If I rejected the cause of my male slave or my slave-girl when they contended with me,
14what then shall I do when God rises up? And when He calls me up, what shall I answer Him?
15Did not He who made me in the belly make him? And did not One shape us in the womb?
16¶ If I have withheld from the desire of the poor one, or I have consumed the widow's eyes,
17or have eaten my bit alone, and the orphan has not eaten from it,
18for from my youth he grew up with me as with a father, and from my mother's womb I guided her.
19If I have seen any perish for lack of clothing, or there was no covering for the needy one;
20if his loins have not blessed me, and he warmed himself with the fleece of my flock;
21if I have lifted up my hand against the orphan, when I saw my help in the gate;
22let my shoulder fall from the blade, and let my arm be broken from the bone.
23For calamity from God is a terror to me, and I could not do the thing because of His majesty.
24¶ If I have made gold my hope or have said fine gold is my trust;
25if I rejoiced because my wealth was great; or because my hand had found much;
26if I looked to the light when it shone, or the moon walking in splendor,
27and my heart was secretly enticed, or my mouth has kissed my hand;
28this also would be an iniquity for the judges; for I would have denied God above.
29If I rejoiced at the ruin of one hating me, and I was excited when evil found him;
30also I have not given my mouth to sin by asking his life with a curse;
31if the men of my tent did not say, Who can give; not being satisfied from his flesh?
32The stranger did not lodge outside, for I opened my doors to the traveler;
33¶ if I covered my transgressions like Adam, by hiding my iniquity in my bosom,
34then let me fear before a great multitude, and let the contempt of families frighten me and I will be silent, and not go out the door.
35Oh that to me were one to listen to me! Behold my mark! Let the Almighty answer me, and let the Man of my contention write an indictment.
36Surely I would carry it on my shoulder, and bind it like crowns to me.
37I would tell Him the number of my steps. Like a prince I would come near Him.
38If my land cries out against me, or its furrows weep together;
39if I have eaten its strength without silver, or have caused the life of its owner to breathe out,
40let thorns come forth instead of wheat, and a weed instead of barley. The words of Job are finished.
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