| Chapter 31 |
1 |
I made a covenant with my eyes, that I would not so much as think upon a virgin. --
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2 |
For what part should God from above have in me, and what inheritance the Almighty from on high? --
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3 |
Is not destruction to the wicked, and aversion to them that work iniquity? --
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4 |
Doth not he consider my ways, and number all my steps? --
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5 |
If I have walked in vanity, and my foot hath made haste to deceit: --
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6 |
Let him weigh me in a just balance, and let God know my simplicity. --
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7 |
If my step hath turned out of the way, and if my heart hath followed my eyes, and if a spot hath cleaved to my hands: --
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8 |
Then let me sow and let another eat: and let my offspring be rooted out. --
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9 |
If my heart hath been deceived upon a woman, and if I have laid wait at my friend's door: --
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10 |
Let my wife be the harlot of another, and let other men lie with her. --
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11 |
For this is a heinous crime, and a most grievous iniquity. --
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12 |
It is a fire that devoureth even to destruction, and rooteth up all things that spring. --
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13 |
If I have despised to abide judgment with my manservant, or my maidservant, when they had any controversy against me: --
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14 |
For what shall I do when God shall rise to judge? and when he shall examine, what shall I answer him? --
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15 |
Did not he that made me in the womb make him also: and did not one and the same form me in the womb? --
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16 |
If I have denied to the poor what they desired, and have made the eyes of the widow wait: --
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17 |
If I have eaten my morsel alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof: --
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18 |
(For from my infancy mercy grew up with me: and it came out with me from my mother's womb :) --
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19 |
If I have despised him that was perishing for want of clothing, and the poor man that had no covering: --
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20 |
If his sides have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep: --
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21 |
If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, even when I saw myself superior in the gate: --
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22 |
Let my shoulder fall from its joint, and let my arm with its bones be broken. --
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23 |
For I have always feared God as waves swelling over me, and his weight I was not able to bear. --
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24 |
If I have thought gold my strength, and have said to fine gold: My confidence: --
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25 |
If I have rejoiced over my great riches, and because my hand had gotten much. --
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26 |
If I beheld the sun when it shined, and the moon going in brightness: --
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27 |
And my heart in secret hath rejoiced, and I have kissed my hand with my mouth: --
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28 |
Which is a very great iniquity, and a denial against the most high God. --
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29 |
If I have been glad at the downfall of him that hated me, and have rejoiced that evil had found him. --
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30 |
For I have not given my mouth to sin, by wishing a curse to his soul. --
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31 |
If the men of my tabernacle have not said: Who will give us of his flesh that we may be filled? --
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32 |
The stranger did not stay without, my door was open to the traveller. --
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33 |
If as a man I have hid my sin, and have concealed my iniquity in my bosom. --
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34 |
If I have been afraid at a very great multitude, and the contempt of kinsmen hath terrified me: and I have not rather held my peace, and not gone out of the door. --
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35 |
Who would grant me a hearer, that the Almighty may hear my desire; and that he himself that judgeth would write a book, --
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36 |
That I may carry it on my shoulder, and put it about me as a crown? --
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37 |
At every step of mine I would pronounce it, and offer it as to a prince. --
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38 |
If my land cry against me, and with it the furrows thereof mourn: --
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39 |
If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, and have afflicted the soul of the tillers thereof: --
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40 |
Let thistles grow up to me instead of wheat, and thorns instead of barley. --
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