Job's Final Appeal

31 “I have made a covenant with my (A)eyes;
    how then could I gaze at a virgin?
What would be (B)my portion from God above
    and (C)my heritage from the Almighty on high?
Is not calamity for the unrighteous,
    and disaster for the workers of iniquity?
(D)Does not he see my ways
    and (E)number all my steps?

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Job Vindicates Himself

31 “I made a covenant with[a] my eyes;
how then could I entertain thoughts against a virgin?[b]
What then would be one’s lot from God above,
one’s heritage from the Almighty[c] on high?
Is it not misfortune for the unjust,
and disaster for those who work iniquity?
Does he not see my ways
and count all my steps?

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Footnotes

  1. Job 31:1 tn The idea of cutting a covenant for something may suggest a covenant that is imposed, except that this construction elsewhere argues against it (see 2 Chr 29:10).
  2. Job 31:1 tn This half-verse is the effect of the covenant. The interrogative מָה (mah) may have the force of the negative, and so be translated “not to pay attention.”
  3. Job 31:2 tn Heb “lot of Shaddai,” which must mean “the lot from Shaddai,” a genitive of source.