I madea covenantwith mine eyes; whythen should I thinkupona maid? For whatportionof God is there from above? and what inheritanceof the Almightyfrom on high? Is notdestructionto the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workersof iniquity? Doth notheseemy ways, and countallmy steps? IfI have walkedwithvanity, or if my foothath hastedtodeceit; Let me be weighedin an evenbalance, that Godmay knowmine integrity. Ifmy stephath turnedout ofthe way, and mine heartwalkedaftermine eyes, and if any blothath cleavedto mine hands; Then let me sow, and let anothereat; yea, let my offspringbe rooted out. Ifmine hearthave been deceivedbya woman, or if I have laid waitatmy neighbor's door; Then let my wifegrindunto another, and let othersbow downuponher. Forthis is a heinous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges. Forit is a fire that consumethtodestruction, and would root outallmine increase. IfI did despisethe causeof my manservantor of my maidservant, when they contendedwithme; Whatthen shall I dowhenGodriseth up? and whenhe visiteth, whatshall I answerhim? Did nothe that mademe in the wombmakehim? and did not onefashionus in the womb? IfI have withheldthe poorfrom their desire, or have caused the eyesof the widowto fail; Or have eatenmy morselmyself alone, and the fatherlesshath noteatenthereof; ( Forfrom my youthhe was brought upwith me, as with a father, and I have guidedher from my mother's womb;) IfI have seenany perishfor wantof clothing, or any poorwithoutcovering; Ifhis loinshave notblessedme, and if he were not warmedwith the fleeceof my sheep; IfI have lifted upmy handagainstthe fatherless, whenI sawmy helpin the gate: Then let mine armfallfrom my shoulder blade, and mine armbe brokenfrom the bone. Fordestruction from God was a terrortome, and by reason of his highnessI couldnotendure. IfI have madegoldmy hope, or have saidto the fine gold, Thou art my confidence; IfI rejoicedbecausemy wealth was great, and becausemine handhad gottenmuch; IfI beheldthe sunwhenit shined, or the moonwalking in brightness; And my hearthath been secretlyenticed, or my mouthhath kissedmy hand: Thisalso were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: forI should have deniedthe God that is above. IfI rejoicedat the destructionof him that hatedme, or lifted up myselfwhenevilfoundhim: Neitherhave I sufferedmy mouthto sinby wishinga curseto his soul. Ifthe menof my tabernaclesaidnot, Oh thatwe hadof his flesh! we cannotbe satisfied. The strangerdid notlodgein the street: but I openedmy doorsto the traveler. IfI coveredmy transgressionsas Adam, by hidingmine iniquityin my bosom: Did I feara greatmultitude, or did the contemptof familiesterrifyme, that I kept silence, and went not outof the door? Oh thatone wouldhearme! behold, my desire is, that the Almightywould answerme, and that mine adversaryhad writtena book. SurelyI would takeit uponmy shoulder, and bindit as a crownto me. I would declareunto him the numberof my steps; asa princewould I go near untohim. Ifmy landcryagainstme, or that the furrowslikewisethereof complain; IfI have eatenthe fruitsthereof withoutmoney, or have caused the ownersthereof to losetheir life: Let thistlesgrowinsteadof wheat, and cockleinsteadof barley. The wordsof Jobare ended.