1 I dictated a covenant (an agreement) to my eyes; how then could I look upon a girl?

2 F or what portion should I have from God above, and what heritage from the Almighty on high?

3 D oes not calamity befall the unrighteous, and disaster the workers of iniquity?

4 D oes not see my ways and count all my steps?

5 I f I have walked with falsehood or vanity, or if my foot has hastened to deceit—

6 O h, let me be weighed in a just balance and let Him weigh me, that God may know my integrity!

7 I f my step has turned out of way, and my heart has gone the way my eyes invited, and if any spot has stained my hands with guilt,

8 T hen let me sow and let another eat; yes, let the produce of my field or my offspring be rooted out.

9 I f my heart has been deceived and I made a fool by a woman, or if I have laid wait at my neighbor’s door,

10 T hen let my wife grind for another, and let others bow down upon her.

11 F or is a heinous and chief crime, an iniquity the judges and punishment.

12 F or is a fire which consumes to Abaddon (to destruction, ruin, and the place of final torment); and would burn to the root all my increase.

13 I f I have despised and rejected the cause of my manservant or my maidservant when they contended or brought a complaint against me,

14 W hat then shall I do when God rises up ? When He visits, what shall I answer Him?

15 D id not He Who made me in the womb make ? And did not One fashion us both in the womb?

16 I f I have withheld from the poor and needy what they desired, or have caused the eyes of the widow to look in vain,

17 O r have eaten my morsel alone and have not shared it with the fatherless—

18 N o, but from my youth grew up with me as a father, and I have been guide from my mother’s womb—

19 I f I have seen anyone perish for want of clothing, or any poor person without covering,

20 I f his loins have not blessed me, and if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep,

21 I f I have lifted my hand against the fatherless when I saw my help at the gate,

22 T hen let my shoulder fall away from my shoulder blade, and my arm be broken from its socket.

23 F or calamity from God was a terror to me, and because of His majesty I could not endure and could do nothing.

24 I f I have made gold my trust and hope or have said to fine gold, You are my confidence,

25 I f I rejoiced because my wealth was great and because my hand had gotten much,

26 I f I beheld the sunlight when it shone or the moon walking in its brightness,

27 A nd my heart has been secretly enticed by them or my mouth has kissed my hand,

28 T his also would have been iniquity to demand the judges’ action and punishment, for I would have denied and been false to the God Who is above.

29 I f I rejoiced at the destruction of him who hated me or lifted myself up when evil overtook him—

30 N o, I have let my mouth sin neither by cursing my enemy nor by praying that he might die—

31 i f the men of my tent will not say, Who can find one in need who has not been satisfied with food he gave them?—

32 T he temporary resident has not lodged in the street, but I have opened my door to the wayfaring man—

33 I f like Adam or like men I have concealed my transgressions, by hiding my iniquity in my bosom

34 B ecause I feared the great multitude and the contempt of families terrified me so that I kept silence and did not go out of the door—

35 O h, for a hearing! Oh, for an answer from the Almighty! Let my adversary write out His indictment in a book!

36 S urely I would bear it on my shoulder and wind the scroll about my head as a diadem.

37 I would count out to Him the number of my steps, approaching His presence as a prince—

38 F or if my land has cried out against me and its furrows have complained together with tears,

39 I f I have eaten its fruits without paying for them or have caused its owners to breathe their last,

40 L et thistles grow instead of wheat and cockleburs instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.