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Job 31:13
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11 For that would be wickedness;
Yes, ait would be iniquity deserving of judgment. 
12 For that would be a fire that consumes to destruction,
And would root out all my increase.
13 “If I have adespised the cause of my male or female servant
When they complained against me, 
14 What then shall I do when aGod rises up?
When He punishes, how shall I answer Him? 
15 aDid not He who made me in the womb make them?
Did not the same One fashion us in the womb? 
16 “If I have kept the poor from their desire,
Or caused the eyes of the widow to afail, 
17 Or eaten my morsel by myself,
So that the fatherless could not eat of it
18 (But from my youth I reared him as a father,
And from my mother’s womb I guided1 the widow); 
19 If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing,
Or any poor man without covering;
20 If his1 heart has not ablessed me,
And if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep; 
21 If I have raised my hand aagainst the fatherless,
When I saw I had help in the gate; 
22 Then let my arm fall from my shoulder,
Let my arm be torn from the socket.
23 For adestruction from God is a terror to me,
And because of His magnificence I cannot endure. 
24 “Ifa I have made gold my hope,
Or said to fine gold, ‘You are my confidence’; 
25 aIf I have rejoiced because my wealth was great,
And because my hand had gained much; 
26 aIf I have observed the1 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;
Commentaries:
Barnes' Notes
<< Job 31:12   Job 31:14 >>


Job 31:13

If I did despise the cause of my man-servant - Job turns to another subject, on which he claimed that his life had been upright. It was in reference to the treatment of his servants. The meaning here is, "I never refused to do strict justice to my servants when they brought their cause before me, or when they complained that my dealings with them had been severe."

When they contended with me - That is, when they brought their cause before me, and complained that I had not provided for them comfortably, or that their task had been too hard. If in any respect they supposed they had cause of complaint, I listened to them attentively, and endeavored to do right. He did not take advantage of his sower to oppress them, nor did he suppose that they had no rights of any kind. It is evident, from this, that Job had those who sustained to him the relation of servants; but whether they were slaves, or hired servants, is not known. The language here will agree with either supposition, though it cannot be doubted that slavery was known as early as the time of Job. There is no certain evidence that he held any slaves, in the proper sense of the term, nor that he regarded slavery as right; compare the notes at Job 1:3. He here refers to the numerous persons that had been in his employ in the days of his prosperity, and says that he had never taken advantage of his power or rank to do them wrong.


 
<< Job 31:12   Job 31:14 >>

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