12. It is like a fire that burns and destroys forever.It would destroy all I have.
13. “I have been fair to my male and female slaveswhen they had a complaint against me.
14. If I have not, how could I tell God what I did?What will I answer when God asks me to explain what I’ve done?
15. God made me in my mother’s womb, and he also made them.The same God formed both of us in our mothers’ wombs.
16. “I have never refused anything the poor wanted.I have never let widows give up hope while looking for help.
17. I have not kept my food to myself.I have also given it to the orphans.
18. Since I was young, I have been like a father to the orphans.And from my birth I guided the widows.
19. I have not let a person die because he had no clothes.I have not let a needy person go without a coat.
20. That person’s heart blessed me.This was because I warmed him with the wool of my sheep.
21. I have never hurt an orphaneven when I knew I could win in court.
22. If I have, then let my arm fall off my shoulder.Let it be broken at the joint.
23. This is because I dread destruction from God.I could not do such things because I fear his majesty.
24. “I have not put my trust in gold.I have not said to pure gold, ‘You are my safety.’
25. I have not celebrated my great wealth.I have not celebrated that my hands had gained riches.
26. I have not thought about worshiping the sun in its brightness.I have not admired the moon moving in glory
27. so that my heart was pulled away from God.My hand has never offered the sun and moon a kiss of worship.
28. If I had, these also would have been sins to be punished.I would have been unfaithful to God if I had done these things.
29. “I have not been happy when my enemy was ruined.I have not laughed when he had trouble.