8 then may others eat what I have sown, and may my crops be uprooted.
8 Then let me sow, and let another eat; yea, let my offspring be rooted out.
8 then let me sow, and another eat, and let what grows for me
8 Go ahead, then - give my portion to someone who deserves it.
8 Then let me sow, and another eat; Yes, let my harvest be rooted out.
8 then let someone else eat the crops I have planted. Let all that I have planted be uprooted.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 31:8
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!