Job 31:6-16

6 Let me be weighed on honest scales, That God may know my integrity.
7 If my step has turned from the way, Or my heart walked after my eyes, Or if any spot adheres to my hands,
8 Then let me sow, and another eat; Yes, let my harvest be rooted out.
9 "If my heart has been enticed by a woman, Or if I have lurked at my neighbor's door,
10 Then let my wife grind for another, And let others bow down over her.
11 For that would be wickedness; Yes, it would be iniquity deserving of judgment.
12 For that would be a fire that consumes to destruction, And would root out all my increase.
13 "If I have despised the cause of my male or female servant When they complained against me,
14 What then shall I do when God rises up? When He punishes, how shall I answer Him?
15 Did not He who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same One fashion us in the womb?
16 "If I have kept the poor from their desire, Or caused the eyes of the widow to fail,

Job 31:6-16 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.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.