Job 31:3

 Job 31:3

Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity?

a. ASV: Is it not calamity to the unrighteous, And disaster to the workers of iniquity? [Thomas Nelson & Sons first published the American Standard Version in 1901. This translation of the Bible is in the public domain.]

b. YLT: Is not calamity to the perverse? And strangeness to workers of iniquity?  [The Young's Literal Translation was translated by Robert Young, who believed in a strictly literal translation of God's word. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.]

c. Classic Amplified: Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity?  [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

d. NLT: Isn’t it calamity for the wicked, and misfortune for those who do evil?  [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]

e. Job, Jewish Publication Society of America Text:Is it not calamity to the unrighteous, And disaster to the workers of iniquity?  [Soncino Books of the Bible, Job, 1946; Jewish Publication Society of America Text; Commentary, Rabbi Dr. Victor E. Reichert] 

1. “Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity?”

a. [Is] not [Strong: 3808 lôʼ, lo; or לוֹא lôwʼ; or לֹה lôh; (Deuteronomy 3:11), a primitive particle; + not (the simple or abstract negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles:—× before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (× as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, + of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.]

b. destruction [Strong: 343 ʼêyd, ade; from the same as H181 (in the sense of bending down); oppression; by implication misfortune, ruin:—calamity, destruction.]

c. [to the] wicked [Strong: 5767 ʻavvâl, av-vawl'; intensive from H5765; evil (morally):—unjust, unrighteous, wicked.

d. [and a] strange [punishment [Strong: 5235 neker, neh'-ker; or נֹכֶר nôker; from H5234; something strange, i.e. unexpected calamity:—strange.]

e. [to the] workers [Strong: 6466 pâʻal, paw-al'; a primitive root; to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise:—commit, (evil-) do(-er), make(-r), ordain, work(-er).]

f. [of] iniquity [Strong: 205 âven, aw-ven'; from an unused root perhaps meaning properly, to pant (hence, to exert oneself, usually in vain; to come to naught); strictly nothingness; also trouble, vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol:—affliction, evil, false, idol, iniquity, mischief, mourners(-ing), naught, sorrow, unjust, unrighteous, vain, vanity, wicked(-ness).]

1). 1). The question being asked is, what is the portion or heritage from God is going to the person who lusts on a woman.  

2). Psalm 101:1-3 I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.

101:2  I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

3). Psalm 119:37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.

4). Jesus said that the individual who engages in such behavior is committing adultery.

a). Matthew 5:27-29 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

5:30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

5). The context of this passage continues down to Job 31:12.

a). Job 31:1-12 I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?

31:2 For what portion of God is there from above? and what inheritance of the Almighty from on high?

31:3 Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity?

31:4 Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?

31:5 If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit;

31:6 Let me be weighed in an even balance that God may know mine integrity.

31:7 If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands;

31:8 Then let me sow, and let another eat; yea, let my offspring be rooted out.

31:9 If mine heart have been deceived by a woman, or if I have laid wait at my neighbour's door;

31:10 Then let my wife grind unto another, and let others bow down upon her.

31:11 For this is an heinous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges.

31:12 For it is a fire that consumeth to destruction, and would root out all mine increase.

6). Job calls men who lust on women “workers of iniquity”, this is where we apply Jesus judgment concerning workers of iniquity.

a). Matthew 7:21-23   Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.