Job 31:13-23

13 If I had despised the right of my manslave or of my maidslave, when they contended with me;
14 what then would I do when God rises up? And when he visits, what would I answer him?
15 Did not he that made me in the belly also make him? And did not the same one fashion us in the womb?
16 If I have disturbed the desire of the poor or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail;
17 or have eaten my morsel alone and the fatherless has not eaten thereof;
18 (for from my youth the fatherless was brought up with me, as with a father, and I have guided the widow from my mother’s womb)
19 if I have seen any perish for want of clothing or any needy without a covering;
20 if his loins have not blessed me and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;
21 if I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, even when I saw that they would all help me in the gate;
22 then let my back fall from my shoulder blade, and my arm be broken from its joint.
23 For I feared destruction from God, against whose highness I could have no power.

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.

The Jubilee Bible (from the Scriptures of the Reformation), edited by Russell M. Stendal, Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010