Job 31:28-38

28 Such a sin should be punished by death; it denies Almighty God.
29 I have never been glad when my enemies suffered, or pleased when they met with disaster;
30 I never sinned by praying for their death.
31 All those who work for me know that I have always welcomed strangers.
32 I invited travelers into my home and never let them sleep in the streets.
33 Others try to hide their sins, but I have never concealed mine.
34 I have never feared what people would say; I have never kept quiet or stayed indoors because I feared their scorn.
35 Will no one listen to what I am saying? I swear that every word is true. Let Almighty God answer me. If the charges my opponent brings against me were written down so that I could see them,
36 I would wear them proudly on my shoulder and place them on my head like a crown.
37 I would tell God everything I have done, and hold my head high in his presence.
38 If I have stolen the land I farm and taken it from its rightful owners -

Job 31:28-38 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 Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.