Job 31:21-31

21 If I have shaken my fist at an orphan because I knew that others would back me up in court,
22 [then] let my shoulder fall out of its socket, and let my arm be broken at the elbow.
23 "A disaster from God terrifies me. In the presence of his majesty I can do nothing.
24 "If I put my confidence in gold or said to fine gold, 'I trust you'....
25 If I enjoyed being very rich because my hand had found great [wealth]....
26 If I saw the light shine or the moon move along in its splendor
27 so that my heart was secretly tempted, and I threw them a kiss with my hand,
28 then that, too, would be a criminal offense, and I would have denied God above.
29 "If I enjoyed the ruin of my enemy or celebrated when harm came to him
30 (even though I didn't speak sinfully by calling down a curse on his life)....
31 "If the people who were in my tent had said, 'We wish we had never filled [our stomachs] with his food'....

Job 31:21-31 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.

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