24. ‘If I have put my trust in goldor said to pure gold, “You are my security,”
25. if I have rejoiced over my great wealth,the fortune my hands had gained,
26. if I have regarded the sun in its radianceor the moon moving in splendour,
27. so that my heart was secretly enticedand my hand offered them a kiss of homage,
28. then these also would be sins to be judged,for I would have been unfaithful to God on high.
29. ‘If I have rejoiced at my enemy’s misfortuneor gloated over the trouble that came to him –
30. I have not allowed my mouth to sinby invoking a curse against their life –
31. if those of my household have never said,“Who has not been filled with Job’s meat?” –
32. but no stranger had to spend the night in the street,for my door was always open to the traveller –
33. if I have concealed my sin as people do,by hiding my guilt in my heart
34. because I so feared the crowdand so dreaded the contempt of the clansthat I kept silent and would not go outside –
35. (‘Oh, that I had someone to hear me!I sign now my defence – 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 meand all its furrows are wet with tears,
39. if I have devoured its yield without paymentor broken the spirit of its tenants,
40. then let briers come up instead of wheatand stinkweed instead of barley.’The words of Job are ended.