7 if my steps have turned from the path, if my heart has been led by my eyes, or if my hands have been defiled,
7 If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands;
7 if my step has turned aside from the way and my heart has gone after my eyes, and if any spot has stuck to my hands,
7 If I've strayed off the straight and narrow, wanted things I had no right to, messed around with sin,
7 If my step has turned from the way, Or my heart walked after my eyes, Or if any spot adheres to my hands,
7 If I have strayed from his pathway, or if my heart has lusted for what my eyes have seen, or if I am guilty of any other sin,
16 "If I have denied the desires of the poor or let the eyes of the widow grow weary,
16 If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail;
16 "If I have withheld anything that the poor desired, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail,
16 "Have I ignored the needs of the poor, turned my back on the indigent,
16 "If I have kept the poor from their desire, Or caused the eyes of the widow to fail,
16 "Have I refused to help the poor, or crushed the hopes of widows?
(Read Job 31:16-23)
Job's conscience gave testimony concerning his just and charitable behaviour toward the poor. He is most large upon this head, because in this matter he was particularly accused. He was tender of all, and hurtful to none. Notice the principles by which Job was restrained from being uncharitable and unmerciful. He stood in awe of the Lord, as certainly against him, if he should wrong the poor. Regard to worldly interests may restrain a man from actual crimes; but the grace of God alone can make him hate, dread, and shun sinful thoughts and desires.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 31:7
Commentary on Job 31:1-8
(Read Job 31:1-8)
Job did not speak the things here recorded by way of boasting, but in answer to the charge of hypocrisy. He understood the spiritual nature of God's commandments, as reaching to the thoughts and intents of the heart. It is best to let our actions speak for us; but in some cases we owe it to ourselves and to the cause of God, solemnly to protest our innocence of the crimes of which we are falsely accused. The lusts of the flesh, and the love of the world, are two fatal rocks on which multitudes split; against these Job protests he was always careful to stand upon his guard. And God takes more exact notice of us than we do of ourselves; let us therefore walk circumspectly. He carefully avoided all sinful means of getting wealth. He dreaded all forbidden profit as much as all forbidden pleasure. What we have in the world may be used with comfort, or lost with comfort, if honestly gotten. Without strict honestly and faithfulness in all our dealings, we can have no good evidence of true godliness. Yet how many professors are unable to abide this touchstone!