The Defence and Final Appeal

31 A tyrst I made with mine eyes

To give no heed unto folly.

2 For how doth the high God reward it–

The Almighty in heaven requite it?

3 Is not for the wicked misfortune–

Disaster for workers of wrong?

4 Doth He not see my ways,

And number my steps every one?

5 If ever I walked with falsehood,

Or my foot hath made haste unto fraud–

6 Let God only weigh wish just balance,

Mine innocence He must acknowledge–

7 If my step ever swerved from the way.

Or my heart hath gone after mine eyes,

Or spot hath cleaved to my hands,

8 Then what I sow may others enjoy,

And all produce of mine be uprooted.

9 If my heart hath been lured by a woman,

If I lurked at my neighbour’s door,

10 May my own wife grind to another,

And let others bow down upon her.

11 For that were an infamous crime,

An iniquity calling for judgment,

12 A fire that devours to Abaddon

And would all mine increase consume.

13 Never spurned I the cause of my servant–

Of man or of maid – when we strove.

14 Else what should I do, when God rose?

When He visited, what should I answer?

15 Did not He that made me make him,

Did not One fashion us in the womb?

16 Ne’er denied I the wish of the poor,

Nor brought grief to the eyes of the widow.

17 Never ate I my morsel alone,

Without sharing thereof with the orphan.

18 For father-like, He brought me up from my youth,

And my Guide has He been from my mother’s womb.

19 Never saw I one naked and perishing–

Needy, with nothing to cover him–

20 But I warmed him with fleece from my lambs,

And his loins gave me their blessing.

21 If, beacause I saw help in the gate,

I have ever set hand on the innocent,

22 Let my shoulder fall from its blade,

And mine arm from the socketh be broken.

23 The terrors of God would assail me,

Before whose approach I were powerless.

24 Never set I my trust upon gold,

Nor called the fine gold my confidence.

25 Mine abundant wealth never elated me,

Nor all that my hands had gotten.

26 Never, watching the shining lights,

Or the moon as she walked in her splendour,

27 Did my heart feel their subtle allurement,

Or my hand throw a kiss to my mouth.

28 This, too, were a crime for the judges,

For to God above I had lied:

29 Ne’er rejoiced I at enemy’s fall,

Nor triumphed when evil befel him;

30 Not suffered my mouth to sin,

By demanding his life in a curse.

31 The men of my tent will declare

None has ever been stinted of food.

32 Not a stranger e’er lodged in the street,

For I opened my doors to the wayfarer. 33 No fear of the crowd ever led me

To hide my sin among men.

34 No contempt of the clans ever scared me

To stay behind closed doors in silence.

35 O for One who would listen to me.

Behold! there is my cross!

Let Almighty God give me His answer.

O would that I had the indicment

Mine Adversary hath written!

36 For, bearing it high on my shoulder,

And winding it round like a crown,

37 Every step of my life I would tell Him,

Like a prince I would enter His presence.

38 If my land ever cried out against me,

Her furrows all weeping together;

39 If her strength I have drained without cost,

Or have poured out the life of her owner;

40 Let thorns take the place of wheat,

And foul-smelling weeds – of barley.

40c The words of Job are ended.