31:1 “I made a covenant with 1 my eyes;
how then could I entertain thoughts against a virgin? 2
31:2 What then would be one’s lot from God above,
one’s heritage from the Almighty 3 on high?
31:3 Is it not misfortune for the unjust,
and disaster for those who work iniquity?
31:4 Does he not see my ways
and count all my steps?
31:5 If 4 I have walked in falsehood,
and if 5 my foot has hastened 6 to deceit –
1 tn The idea of cutting a covenant for something may suggest a covenant that is imposed, except that this construction elsewhere argues against it (see 2 Chr 29:10).
2 tn This half-verse is the effect of the covenant. The interrogative מָה (mah) may have the force of the negative, and so be translated “not to pay attention.”
3 tn Heb “lot of Shaddai,” which must mean “the lot from Shaddai,” a genitive of source.
4 tn The normal approach is to take this as the protasis, and then have it resumed in v. 7 after a parenthesis in v. 6. But some take v. 6 as the apodosis and a new protasis in v. 7.
5 tn The “if” is understood by the use of the consecutive verb.
6 sn The verbs “walk” and “hasten” (referring in the verse to the foot) are used metaphorically for the manner of life Job lived.