23. For destruction from God is a terror to me,and because of His highness I cannot endure.
24. “If I have made gold my hope,or have said to the fine gold, ‘You are my confidence’;
25. if I rejoiced because my wealth was great,and because my hand had gained much;
26. if I saw the sun when it shined,or the moon moving in brightness;
27. and my heart has been secretly enticed,or my mouth has kissed my hand;
28. this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judge,for I would have denied the God who is above.
29. “If I rejoiced at the destruction of him who hated me,or lifted up myself when disaster found him
30. (nor have I allowed my mouth to sinby wishing for a curse on his soul);
31. if the men of my tent have not said,‘Who is there who has not been satisfied with his meat?’
32. (the stranger has not lodged in the street,but I opened my doors to the traveler);
33. if I covered my transgressions as any man,by hiding my iniquity in my heart,
34. did I fear a great multitude,or did the contempt of families terrifyme,so that I kept silence, and did not go out of the door?
35. “Oh, that one would hear me!Behold, my desire is that the Almighty would answer me,and that the One who contends against me had written a book!
36. Surely I would carry it on my shoulderand 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 also weep together;
39. if I have eaten its fruit without money,or have caused its owners to lose their life;
40. let thistles grow instead of wheat,and weeds instead of barley.”The words of Job are ended.