Job 31

{I am no different from my servants, so I have no right to mistreat them.} The same God created each one of us. \* 16-18 I solemnly declare that from the time that I was young, I have taken care of orphans and I have protected widows. I have not failed to provide poor people with the things that they needed. I have not caused widows to lose hope. I have not eaten all of my food by myself and not shared it with orphans. \* 19 I solemnly declare that I provided clothes for poor people when I saw that they were suffering from lack of clothing. I have provided warm outer garments for needy people. 20 I gave them warm clothes that my servants had woven from the wool of my sheep. The poor people thanked me for helping them. 21 I solemnly declare that I never threatened an orphan who brought a case against me in the public square. Even if I knew that the other elders would favor me, I made sure that the orphan received fair treatment. \* 22 If I have neglected poor people or oppressed orphans, may the arm {that I did not use to help them but used instead to threaten them} fall right out of its socket! 23 I have not done wrong things such as I have been describing, because I respect God and I know that he punishes sin. I would not sin against such a majestic God! \* 24 I solemnly declare that I have not depended on wealth as a source of security and power. 25 I solemnly declare that I did not think that I was better than other people because I had many possessions and because I had become very rich. \* 26 I solemnly declare that I never looked at the sun when it was shining or at the beautiful moon 27 and made a gesture to worship them. I never wanted to do that. 28 If I had worshiped the sun or the moon and people found out that I had, the judges would certainly decide to punish me for that too, because I would have been worshiping a false god instead of the true God. \* 29-30 I solemnly declare that I have not been glad when my enemies have suffered misfortunes. I have not thought that I was better than they were when they experienced disasters. I have not sinned by praying that God would curse people who hated me and cause them to die. \* 31-32 I solemnly declare that I have invited travelers to stay in my house. Visitors have not had to sleep in the streets. My servants talk about how I give food to anyone who needs it. \* 33 I know that people generally try to hide their sins. But I solemnly declare that I have not done that. 34 I did not let fear of what people would say about me or think of me keep me from admitting that I had done wrong and making amends. \* 35 I wish that I had someone who would judge my case against God! I hereby declare that all that I have just said is true. Now I wish that Shaddai would state his case. I would like to see his written statement of charges against me. 36 If Shaddai wrote out his charges against me, I would not be ashamed, because I know that I am innocent. I would display the charges publicly{, because they would actually list what I had not done}. 37 I would explain to God in detail how I was innocent of each charge. I would approach him as a ruler would: without being afraid. \* 38 I solemnly declare that I have not defrauded the people who farm my land. They have no reason to cry out for justice against me. 39 I solemnly declare that I have taken only a fair share of the crops that people have grown on my land. I have made sure that the people who grew crops on my land kept enough of them to feed their families. 40 If I have cheated the people who farm my land, then I wish that thorns would grow in my fields instead of wheat. I wish that bad weeds would grow there instead of barley!” After this, Job said nothing further to defend himself to his three friends. \*