Job 31:21

19 If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering;

20 If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;

If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate:

22 Then let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone.

23 For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
if I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless because I saw that I had support in the gate,
KJV
If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate:
WEB
if I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, because I saw my help in the gate;
ASV
If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, Because I saw my help in the gate:
DARBY
If I have lifted up my hand against an orphan, because I saw my help in the gate:
BLB
if I have raised my hand against the fatherless, because I saw my help at the gate,
ÅB
Har jeg løftet min hånd mot den farløse, fordi jeg var sikker på å få medhold i retten?
OTB
Hvis jeg har løftet min hånd mot den foreldreløse,
Fordi jeg så jeg hadde støtte ved porten,
B1930
Har jeg løftet min hånd mot den farløse, fordi jeg var viss på å få medhold i retten?

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Job 22:9

    Thou hast sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless have been broken.

    Read in context
  • Job 29:12

    Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.

    Read in context
  • Ezekiel 22:7

    In thee have they set light by father and mother: in the midst of thee have they dealt by oppression with the stranger: in thee have they vexed the fatherless and the widow.

    Read in context
  • Micah 7:3

    That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 5:28

    They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.

    Read in context
  • Job 6:27

    Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.

    Read in context
  • Proverbs 23:10–11

    Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:

    Read in context
  • Job 24:9

    They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge of the poor.

    Read in context