Job 31:9-19

9 If my heart has gone forth after another man's wife, and if I laid wait at her doors;

10 then let my wife also please another, and let my children be brought low.

11 For the rage of anger is not to be controlled, of defiling man's wife.

12 For it is a fire burning on every side, and whomsoever it attacks, it utterly destroys.

13 And if too I despised the judgment of my servant or handmaid, when they pleaded with me;

14 what then shall I do if the Lord should try me? and if also he should at all visit me, can I make an answer?

15 Were not they too formed as I also was formed in the womb? yea, we were formed in the same womb.

16 But the helpless missed not whatever need they had, and I did not cause the eye of the widow to fail.

17 And if too I ate my morsel alone, and did not impart to the orphan;

18 (for I nourished as a father from my youth and guided from my mother's womb.)

19 And if too I overlooked the naked as he was perishing, and did not clothe him;

Job 31:9-19 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.