Job 31:11-21

11 For that would be a heinous crime; that would be a criminal offense;
12 for that would be a fire consuming down to Abaddon, and it would burn to the root all my harvest.
13 "If I have rejected the cause of my male or female slaves, when they brought a complaint against me;
14 what then shall I do when God rises up? When he makes inquiry, what shall I answer him?
15 Did not he who made me in the womb make them? And did not one fashion us in the womb?
16 "If I have withheld anything that the poor desired, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail,
17 or have eaten my morsel alone, and the orphan has not eaten from it—
18 for from my youth I reared the orphan like a father, and from my mother's womb I guided the widow —
19 if I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, or a poor person without covering,
20 whose loins have not blessed me, and who was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;
21 if I have raised my hand against the orphan, because I saw I had supporters at the gate;

Job 31:11-21 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.

Footnotes 2

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.