16. ‘If I have denied the desires of the pooror let the eyes of the widow grow weary,
17. if I have kept my bread to myself,not sharing it with the fatherless –
18. but from my youth I reared them as a father would,and from my birth I guided the widow –
19. if I have seen anyone perishing for lack of clothing,or the needy without garments,
20. and their hearts did not bless mefor warming them with the fleece from my sheep,
21. if I have raised my hand against the fatherless,knowing that I had influence in court,
22. then let my arm fall from the shoulder,let it be broken off at the joint.
23. For I dreaded destruction from God,and for fear of his splendour I could not do such things.
24. ‘If I have put my trust in goldor said to pure gold, “You are my security,”
25. if I have rejoiced over my great wealth,the fortune my hands had gained,
26. if I have regarded the sun in its radianceor the moon moving in splendour,
27. so that my heart was secretly enticedand my hand offered them a kiss of homage,
28. then these also would be sins to be judged,for I would have been unfaithful to God on high.