Job 31:13-23

¶“If I have despised and rejected the claim of my male or female servants When they filed a complaint against me, What then could I do when God arises [to judge me]? When He calls me to account, what will I answer Him? [Ps 44:21] “Did not He who made me in the womb make my servant, And did not the same One fashion us both in the womb? [Prov 14:31; 22:2; Mal 2:10] ¶“If I have withheld from the poor what they desired, Or have caused the eyes of the widow to look in vain [for relief], Or have eaten my morsel [of food] alone, And did not share it with the orphan (But from my youth the orphan grew up with me as with a father, And from my mother’s womb I have been the widow’s guide), If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, Or any poor person without covering, If his loins have not thanked and blessed me [for clothing them], And if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep, If I have lifted my hand against the orphan, Because I saw [that the judges would be] my help at the [council] gate, Then let my shoulder fall away from its socket, And my arm be broken off at the elbow. “For tragedy from God is a terror to me, And because of His majesty and exaltation I can do nothing [nor endure facing Him]. [Is 13:6; Joel 1:15]