Job 31:30
New International Version
I have not allowed my mouth to sin by invoking a curse against their life—

New Living Translation
No, I have never sinned by cursing anyone or by asking for revenge.

English Standard Version
(I have not let my mouth sin by asking for his life with a curse),

Berean Standard Bible
I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking for his life with a curse—

King James Bible
Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul.

New King James Version
(Indeed I have not allowed my mouth to sin By asking for a curse on his soul);

New American Standard Bible
“No, I have not allowed my mouth to sin By asking for his life in a curse.

NASB 1995
“No, I have not allowed my mouth to sin By asking for his life in a curse.

NASB 1977
“No, I have not allowed my mouth to sin By asking for his life in a curse.

Legacy Standard Bible
But I have not given over my mouth to sin By asking for his life in a curse—

Amplified Bible
“No, I have not allowed my mouth to sin By cursing my enemy and asking for his life.

Christian Standard Bible
I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking for his life with a curse.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking for his life with a curse.

American Standard Version
(Yea, I have not suffered by mouth to sin By asking his life with a curse);

Contemporary English Version
Neither have I sinned by asking God to send down on them the curse of death.

English Revised Version
(Yea, I suffered not my mouth to sin by asking his life with a curse;)

GOD'S WORD® Translation
(even though I didn't speak sinfully by calling down a curse on his life)....

Good News Translation
I never sinned by praying for their death.

International Standard Version
No, I haven't allowed my mouth to sin by asking for his life with a curse.

Majority Standard Bible
I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking for his life with a curse?

NET Bible
I have not even permitted my mouth to sin by asking for his life through a curse--

New Heart English Bible
(yes, I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking his life with a curse);

Webster's Bible Translation
Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul.

World English Bible
(I have certainly not allowed my mouth to sin by asking his life with a curse);
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Indeed, I have not permitted my mouth to sin, "" To ask with an oath his life.

Young's Literal Translation
Yea, I have not suffered my mouth to sin, To ask with an oath his life.

Smith's Literal Translation
And I gave not my palate to sin to ask in cursing his soul.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For I have not given my mouth to sin, by wishing a curse to his soul.

Catholic Public Domain Version
for I have not been given my throat to sin by asking for a curse on his soul;

New American Bible
Even though I had not allowed my mouth to sin by invoking a curse against his life—

New Revised Standard Version
I have not let my mouth sin by asking for their lives with a curse—
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
(But I have neither suffered my mouth to sin, nor has my soul wished for any of these things;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I have not yielded my mouth to sin and my soul has not asked for one of these things
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Yea, I suffered not my mouth to sin By asking his life with a curse.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
let then mine ear hear my curse, and let me be a byword among my people in my affliction.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Job's Final Appeal
29If I have rejoiced in my enemy’s ruin, or exulted when evil befell him— 30I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking for his life with a curse— 31if the men of my house have not said, ‘Who is there who has not had his fill?’—…

Cross References
Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Romans 12:14
Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.

Luke 6:27-28
But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, / bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Proverbs 24:17
Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles,

Proverbs 25:21-22
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. / For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

Exodus 23:4-5
If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him. / If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it.

Leviticus 19:18
Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

Matthew 5:22
But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.

James 3:9-10
With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. / Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!

Ephesians 4:31-32
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. / Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.

1 Thessalonians 5:15
Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.

Romans 12:17-21
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. / If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. / Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” ...

1 Corinthians 4:12-13
We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; / when we are slandered, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.

1 John 3:15
Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer.


Treasury of Scripture

Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul.

have

Exodus 23:4,5
If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again…

Matthew 5:43,44
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy…

Romans 12:14
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

mouth.

Ecclesiastes 5:2,6
Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few…

Matthew 5:22
But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Matthew 12:36
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

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Job 31
1. Job makes a solemn protestation of his integrity in several duties














I have not allowed
This phrase reflects Job's conscious and deliberate effort to maintain moral integrity. The Hebrew root here is "nathan," which means to give, allow, or permit. Job is asserting his active role in restraining himself from sin. In the broader context of Job's defense of his righteousness, this phrase underscores his commitment to self-control and ethical behavior, even in the face of severe trials and provocations.

my mouth
The mouth, in biblical literature, often symbolizes the expression of one's inner thoughts and intentions. The Hebrew word "peh" is used here, emphasizing the importance of speech in moral conduct. In the wisdom literature of the Bible, the mouth is frequently associated with both the potential for blessing and cursing, highlighting the power of words. Job's statement reflects his awareness of this power and his determination to use his speech righteously.

to sin
The concept of sin in the Hebrew Bible is often linked to the idea of missing the mark or straying from the path of righteousness. The Hebrew word "chata" is used here, indicating a moral failure or transgression. Job's assertion that he has not allowed his mouth to sin reveals his deep commitment to living a life that aligns with God's standards, even in his speech.

by asking for his life
This phrase suggests a desire for retribution or harm against another person. The Hebrew context implies a request or demand, which in this case, Job denies having made. In the ancient Near Eastern context, seeking the life of another, especially through verbal curses, was a serious moral and social offense. Job's claim here is a testament to his refusal to succumb to bitterness or vengeance, even against those who wronged him.

with a curse
Cursing in the biblical context involves invoking harm or misfortune upon someone, often through spoken words. The Hebrew word "alah" is used, which can mean an oath or a curse. In the ancient world, curses were believed to have real power, and invoking them was a grave matter. Job's insistence that he has not cursed his enemies highlights his adherence to a higher moral standard, reflecting the teachings found in other parts of Scripture, such as Proverbs and the teachings of Jesus, which advocate for blessing rather than cursing one's enemies.

Verse 30. - Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul. Much less, Job means, have I gone beyond the thought to the word, and imprecated a curse upon him with my mouth, as the manner of most hen is towards their enemies (see 2 Samuel 16:5; 1 Samuel 17:43; Nehemiah 13:25; Psalm 109:28; Jeremiah 15:10, etc).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
I have not
וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

allowed
נָתַ֣תִּי (nā·ṯat·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

my mouth
חִכִּ֑י (ḥik·kî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 2441: Palate, roof of the mouth, gums

to sin
לַחֲטֹ֣א (la·ḥă·ṭō)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 2398: To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn

by asking for
לִשְׁאֹ֖ל (liš·’ōl)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand

his life
נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃ (nap̄·šōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

with a curse—
בְּאָלָ֣ה (bə·’ā·lāh)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 423: An imprecation


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OT Poetry: Job 31:30 Yes I have not allowed my mouth (Jb)
Job 31:29
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