33 if I have concealed my sin as people do,[1]by hiding my guilt in my heart 34 because I so feared the crowd and so dreaded the contempt of the clans that I kept silent and would not go outside- 35 ("Oh, that I had someone to hear me! I sign now my defense-let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser put his indictment in writing. 36 Surely I would wear it on my shoulder, I would put it on like a crown. 37 I would give him an account of my every step; I would present it to him as to a ruler.)- 38 "if my land cries out against me and all its furrows are wet with tears, 39 if I have devoured its yield without payment or broken the spirit of its tenants, 40 then let briers come up instead of wheat and stinkweed instead of barley." The words of Job are ended.
33 If I covered my transgressions as Adam,
33 if I have concealed my transgressions as others do
33 Did I hide my sin the way Adam did, or conceal my guilt behind closed doors 34 Because I was afraid what people would say, fearing the gossip of the neighbors so much That I turned myself into a recluse? You know good and well that I didn't. 35 "Oh, if only someone would give me a hearing! I've signed my name to my defense - let the Almighty One answer! I want to see my indictment in writing. 36 Anyone's welcome to read my defense; I'll write it on a poster and carry it around town. 37 I'm prepared to account for every move I've ever made - to anyone and everyone, prince or pauper. 38 "If the very ground that I farm accuses me, if even the furrows fill with tears from my abuse, 39 If I've ever raped the earth for my own profit or dispossessed its rightful owners, 40 Then curse it with thistles instead of wheat, curse it with weeds instead of barley." The words of Job to his three friends were finished. Elihu Speaks
33 If I have covered my transgressions as Adam, By hiding my iniquity in my bosom, 34 Because I feared the great multitude, And dreaded the contempt of families, So that I kept silence And did not go out of the door-- 35 Oh, that I had one to hear me! Here is my mark. Oh, that the Almighty would answer me, That my Prosecutor had written a book! 36 Surely I would carry it on my shoulder, And bind it on me like a crown; 37 I would declare to Him the number of my steps; Like a prince I would approach Him. 38 "If my land cries out against me, And its furrows weep together; 39 If I have eaten its fruit without money, Or caused its owners to lose their lives; 40 Then let thistles grow instead of wheat, And weeds instead of barley." The words of Job are ended.
33 "Have I tried to hide my sins like other people do, concealing my guilt in my heart? 34 Have I feared the crowd or the contempt of the masses, so that I kept quiet and stayed indoors? 35 "If only someone would listen to me! Look, I will sign my name to my defense. Let the Almighty answer me. Let my accuser write out the charges against me. 36 I would face the accusation proudly. I would wear it like a crown. 37 For I would tell him exactly what I have done. I would come before him like a prince. 38 "If my land accuses me and all its furrows cry out together, 39 or if I have stolen its crops or murdered its owners, 40 then let thistles grow on that land instead of wheat, and weeds instead of barley." Job's words are ended.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 31:33-40
Commentary on Job 31:33-40
(Read Job 31:33-40)
Job clears himself from the charge of hypocrisy. We are loth to confess our faults, willing to excuse them, and to lay the blame upon others. But he that thus covers his sins, shall not prosper, 1 John 1:8. Let us all judge ourselves; wherein we are guilty, let us seek forgiveness in that blood which cleanseth from all sin; and may the Lord have mercy upon us, and write his laws in our hearts!