Job 31:13-23

13 "If I have 1despised the claim of my male or female slaves * When they filed a complaint against me,
14 What then could I do when God arises? And when He calls me to account, what will I answer Him?
15 "Did not 2He who made me in the womb make him, And the same one fashion us in the womb?
16 "If I have kept 3the poor from their desire, Or have caused the eyes of 4the widow to fail,
17 Or have 5eaten my morsel alone, And 6the orphan has not shared * it
18 (But from my youth he grew up with me as with a father, And from infancy * I guided her),
19 If I have seen anyone perish 7for lack of clothing, Or that 8the needy had no covering,
20 If his loins have not thanked me, And if he has not been warmed with the fleece of my sheep,
21 If I have lifted up my hand against 9the orphan, Because I saw I had support 10in the gate,
22 Let my shoulder fall from the socket, And my 11arm be broken off at the elbow.
23 "For 12calamity from God is a terror to me, And because of 13His majesty I can do nothing.

Job 31:13-23 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.

Cross References 13

Footnotes 7

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