Job 31:10-20

10 then let my wife grind for another man, and let others kneel on her.
11 For that would be a heinous act, a criminal offense,
12 a fire that would burn to the depths of Abaddon, uprooting all I produce.
13 "If I ever rejected my slave or slave-girl's cause, when they brought legal action against me;
14 then what would I do if God stood up? Were he to intervene, what answer could I give?
15 Didn't he who made me in the womb make them too? Didn't the same one shape us both before our birth?
16 "If I held back anything needed by the poor or made a widow's eye grow dim [with tears],
17 or ate my portion of food by myself, without letting the orphan eat any of it
18 No! From my youth he grew up with me as if with a father, and I have been her guide from my mother's womb!
19 or if I saw a traveler needing clothing, someone in need who had no covering,
20 who didn't bless me from his heart for being warmed with the fleece from my sheep,

Job 31:10-20 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 31

In this chapter Job gives an account of himself in private life, of the integrity and uprightness of his life, and his holy walk and conversation, with this view, that it might be thought that the afflictions which were upon him were not on account of a vicious course of life he had indulged unto, as was suggested; and he clears himself from various crimes which it might be insinuated he was guilty of, as from unchastity; and he observes the method he took to prevent his falling into it, and the reasons that dissuaded him from it, Job 31:1-4; from injustice in his dealings with men, Job 31:5-8; from the sin of adultery, Job 31:9-12; from ill usage of his servants, Job 31:13-15; from unkindness to the poor, which he enlarges upon, and gives many instances of his charity to them, Job 31:16-23; from covetousness, and a vain confidence in wealth, Job 31:24,25; from idolatry, the worship of the sun and moon, Job 31:26-28; from a revengeful spirit, Job 31:29-31; and from inhospitality to strangers, Job 31:32; from covering his sin, Job 31:33; and fear of men, Job 31:34; and then wishes his cause might be heard before God, Job 31:35-37; and the chapter is closed with an imprecation on his head if guilty of any injustice, Job 31:38-40.

Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.