Job 31:22-32

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.
24 If I have made gold my hope or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence;
25 if I rejoiced because my wealth was being multiplied, and because my hand had gotten much;
26 if I beheld the sun when it shone or the moon walking in beauty;
27 and my heart has been secretly enticed, and my mouth kissed my hand;
28 this would also be a proven iniquity; for I should have denied the God that is sovereign.
29 If I rejoiced at the destruction of the one that hated me or lifted up myself when evil found him;
30 for I have never even suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse upon his soul;
31 when the servants of my tent said, Oh that we had of his flesh! We would never be satisfied.
32 The stranger did not lodge in the street, but I opened my doors to the traveller.

Job 31:22-32 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