1 “I have made a covenant with my eyes. How then could I gaze at a maiden?
2 For what is the portion of Eloah from above, and the inheritance of Ĕl Shaddai from on high?
3 Is it not calamity to the perverse, and strangeness to the workers of wickedness?
4 Does He not see my ways, and number all my steps?
5 If I have walked with falsehood, or if my foot has hurried to deceit,
6 let Him weigh me in a right scale, and let Eloah know my integrity.
7 If my step turns from the Way, or my heart has gone after my eyes, or if any spot has clung to my hands,
8 let me sow, and another eat; and let my harvest be rooted out.
9 If my heart has been enticed by a woman, or if I have lurked at my neighbour’s door,
10 let my wife grind for another, and let others bow down over her.
11 For that would be a wicked scheme, and a punishable wickedness.
12 For that would be a fire that burns to destruction, and take root among all my increase.
13 If I have refused the plea of my male servant or my female servant when they complained against me,
14 then what should I do when Ĕl rises up? And when He punishes what should I answer Him?
15 Did not He who made me in the womb make him? And did not One fashion us in the womb?
16 If I have withheld the poor from pleasure, or caused the widow’s eyes to fail,
17 or eaten my piece of bread by myself, and the fatherless did not eat of it –
18 but from my youth he grew up with me as a father, and from my mother’s womb I guided her –
19 if I have seen anyone perish for lack of garments, or a poor one without covering;
20 if his loins have not baraḵ me, and he warmed himself with the fleece of my sheep;
21 if I have raised my hand against the fatherless, when I saw I had help in the gate;
22 let my arm fall from my shoulder, and my arm be broken from the bone.
23 For I am in dread of destruction from Ĕl, and from His excellence I could not escape.
24 If I have put my trust in gold, or called fine gold my refuge;
25 if I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because my hand had gained much;
26 if I have looked at the sun when it shines, or the moon moving in brightness,
27 so that my heart has been secretly enticed, and my mouth has kissed my hand –
28 that too is a punishable wickedness, for I would have denied Ĕl above.
29 If I have rejoiced when he who hated me was ruined, or lifted myself up when evil found him –
30 also I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking for a curse on his life –
31 if the men of my tent did not say, ‘Who is there that has not been satisfied with his meat?’
32 The stranger did not have to spend the night in the street, for I have opened my doors to the way.
33 If I have covered my transgressions like Aḏam, by hiding my wickedness in my bosom,
34 then let me fear the great crowd, and dread the scorn of clans, then I would be silent, and go out of the door!
35 Who would give me a hearing? See, my signature, let Ĕl Shaddai answer me, and let my accuser write an account!
36 Would I not take it up on my shoulder, bind it on me for a crown?
37 I would declare to Him the number of my steps – I would approach Him like a prince.
38 If my land cries out against me, or its furrows weep together;
39 if I have eaten its fruit without payment, or caused its owners to die;
40 let thistles grow instead of wheat, and useless weed instead of barley.” The words of lyoḇ are ended.