Job 31:30-40

30 let then mine ear hear my curse, and let me be a byword among my people in my affliction.

31 And if too my handmaids have often said, Oh that we might be satisfied with his flesh; (whereas I was very kind:

32 for the stranger did not lodge without, and my door was opened to every one that came:)

33 or if too having sinned unintentionally, I hid my sin;

34 (for I did not stand in awe of a great multitude, so as not to declare boldly before them:) and if too I permitted a poor man to go out of my door with an empty bosom:

35 (Oh that I had a hearer,) and if I had not feared the hand of the Lord; and the written charge which I had against any one,

36 I would place as a chaplet on my shoulders, and read it.

37 And if I did not read it and return it, having taken nothing from the debtor:

38 If at any time the land groaned against me, and if its furrows mourned together;

39 and if I ate its strength alone without price, and if I too grieved the heart of the owner of the soil, by taking from :

40 then let the nettle come up to me instead of wheat, and a bramble instead of barley. And Job ceased speaking.

Job 31:30-40 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.