13 "If I have denied justice to any of my servants, whether male or female, when they had a grievance against me,
13 If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me;
13 "If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or my maidservant, when they brought a complaint against me,
13 "Have I ever been unfair to my employees when they brought a complaint to me?
13 "If I have despised the cause of my male or female servant When they complained against me,
13 "If I have been unfair to my male or female servants when they brought their complaints to me,
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.
17 if I have kept my bread to myself, not sharing it with the fatherless-
17 Or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof;
17 or have eaten my morsel alone, and the fatherless has not eaten of it
17 Taken care of my own needs and fed my own face while they languished?
17 Or eaten my morsel by myself, So that the fatherless could not eat of it
17 Have I been stingy with my food and refused to share it with orphans?
(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.
19 if I have seen anyone perishing for lack of clothing, or the needy without garments,
19 If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering;
19 if I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, or the needy without covering,
19 "Have I ever left a poor family shivering in the cold when they had no warm clothes?
19 If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, Or any poor man without covering;
19 Whenever I saw the homeless without clothes and the needy with nothing to wear,
(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.
20 and their hearts did not bless me for warming them with the fleece from my sheep,
20 If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;
20 if his body has not blessed me,
20 Didn't the poor bless me when they saw me coming, knowing I'd brought coats from my closet?
20 If his heart has not blessed me, And if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;
20 did they not praise me for providing wool clothing to keep them warm?
(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.
21 if I have raised my hand against the fatherless, knowing that I had influence in court,
21 If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate:
21 if I have raised my hand against the fatherless, because I saw my help in the gate,
21 "If I've ever used my strength and influence to take advantage of the unfortunate,
21 If I have raised my hand against the fatherless, When I saw I had help in the gate;
21 "If I raised my hand against an orphan, knowing the judges would take my side,
(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 31:13
Commentary on Job 31:9-15
(Read Job 31:9-15)
All the defilements of the life come from a deceived heart. Lust is a fire in the soul: those that indulge it, are said to burn. It consumes all that is good there, and lays the conscience waste. It kindles the fire of God's wrath, which, if not quenched by the blood of Christ, will consume even to eternal destruction. It consumes the body; it consumes the substance. Burning lusts bring burning judgments. Job had a numerous household, and he managed it well. He considered that he had a Master in heaven; and as we are undone if God should be severe with us, we ought to be mild and gentle towards all with whom we have to do.