Job 31:18-28

18 Desde mi juventud he sido un padre para ellos;a las viudas las he guiado desde mi nacimiento.
19 Si he dejado que alguien muera por falta de vestido,o que un necesitado no tenga qué ponerse;
20 si este no me ha bendecido de corazónpor haberlo abrigado con lana de mis rebaños;
21 o si he levantado contra el huérfano mi manopor contar con influencias en los tribunales,[a]
22 ¡que los brazos se me caigan de los hombros!¡que se me zafen de sus articulaciones!
23 Siempre he sido temeroso del castigo de Dios;¡ante su majestad no podría resistir!
24 »¿Acaso he puesto en el oro mi confianza,o le he dicho al oro puro: “En ti confío”?
25 ¿Me he ufanado de mi gran fortuna,de las riquezas amasadas con mis manos?
26 ¿He admirado acaso el esplendor del solo el avance esplendoroso de la luna,
27 como para rendirles culto en lo secretoy enviarles un beso con la mano?
28 ¡También este pecado tendría que ser juzgado,pues habría yo traicionado al Dios de las alturas!

Job 31:18-28 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 1

  • [a]. "en los tribunales" . Lit. "en la puerta" (de la ciudad).
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