16. "I haven't said no to what poor people have wanted. I haven't let widows lose their hope.
17. I haven't kept my bread to myself. I've shared it with children whose fathers had died.
18. From the time I was young, I've helped those widows. I've raised those children as a father would.
19. Suppose I've seen people dying because they didn't have any clothes. I've seen needy people who had nothing to wear.
20. And they didn't give me their blessing when I warmed them with wool from my sheep.
21. Suppose I've raised my hand against children whose fathers have died. And I did it because I knew I had power in the courts.
22. Then let my arm fall from my shoulder. Let it be broken off at the joint.
23. I was afraid God would destroy me. His glory terrifies me. So I'd never do things like that.
24. "Suppose I've put my trust in gold. I've said to pure gold, 'You make me feel secure.'
25. And I'm happy because I'm so wealthy. I'm glad because my hands have earned so much.
26. Suppose I've worshiped the sun in all of its glory. I've bowed down to the moon in all of its beauty.
27. My heart has been secretly tempted. My hand has thrown kisses to the sun and moon.
28. Then those things would have been sins that should be judged. And I wouldn't have been faithful to God in heaven.