31:1
The Final Judicial Oath of Innocence
I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?
Reader Chapter
Iyub 31
Iyub chapter 31 in the Qadmoni reader. Read the full chapter text with direct verse references and continue into the interactive reader.
Browse Iyub chapter index31:2
For what portion of Eloah is there from above? and what inheritance of Shadday from on high?
31:3
Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity?
31:4
The Omniscience of the Judge
Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?
31:5
If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit;
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The Balances of Justice
Let me be weighed in an even balance, that Eloah may know mine integrity.
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If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands;
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Then let me sow, and let another eat; yea, let my offspring be rooted out.
31:9
The Oath Regarding the Marriage Bed
If mine heart have been deceived by a woman, or if I have laid wait at my neighbour's door;
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Then let my wife grind unto another, and let others bow down upon her.
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For this is an heinous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges.
31:12
For it is a fire that consumeth to destruction, and would root out all mine increase.
31:13
The Oath Regarding the Servants
If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me;
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What then shall I do when El riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him?
31:15
The Equality of the Created Vessel
Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb?
31:16
The Oath Regarding the Poor and Fatherless
If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail;
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Or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof;
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(For from my youth he was brought up with me, as with a father, and I have guided her from my mother's womb;)
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If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering;
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If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;
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If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate:
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Then let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone.
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For destruction from El was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.
31:24
The Oath Regarding Wealth and Idolatry
If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence;
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If I rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten much;
31:26
The Prohibition of Celestial Worship
If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness;
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And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand:
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This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied El that is above.
31:29
The Oath Regarding the Enemy
If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him:
31:30
Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul.
31:31
The Oath Regarding Hospitality
If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied.
31:32
The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveller.
31:33
The Oath Regarding Concealed Sin
If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom:
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Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, and went not out of the door?
31:35
The Final Signature and Demand for the Indictment
Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that Shadday would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book.
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Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, and bind it as a crown to me.
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I would declare unto him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near unto him.
31:38
The Oath Regarding the Land
If my land cry against me, or that the furrows likewise thereof complain;
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If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life:
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The Conclusion of the Words
Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Iyob are ended.