[1] Job continues: [2] "Oh, for the years gone by when God took care of me, [3] when he lighted the way before me and I walked safely through the darkness; [4] yes, in my early years, when the friendship of God was felt in my home; [5] when the Almighty was still with me and my children were around me; [6] when my projects prospered and even the rock poured out streams of olive oil to me! [7] "Those were the days when I went out to the city gate and took my place among the honored elders. [8] The young saw me and stepped aside, and even the aged rose and stood up in respect at my coming. [9] The princes stood in silence and laid their hands upon their mouths. [10] The highest officials of the city stood in quietness. [11] All rejoiced in what I said. All who saw me spoke well of me. [12] "For I, as an honest judge, helped the poor in their need and the fatherless who had no one to help them. [13] I helped those who were ready to perish, and they blessed me. And I caused the widows' hearts to sing for joy. [14] All I did was just and honest, for righteousness was my clothing! [15] I served as eyes for the blind and feet for the lame. [16] I was as a father to the poor and saw to it that even strangers received a fair trial. [17] I knocked out the fangs of the godless oppressors and made them drop their victims. [18] "I thought, 'Surely I shall die quietly in my nest after a long, good life.' [19] For everything I did prospered; the dew lay all night upon my fields and watered them. [20] Fresh honors were constantly given me, and my abilities were constantly refreshed and renewed. [21] Everyone listened to me and valued my advice, and was silent until I spoke. [22] And after I spoke, they spoke no more, for my counsel satisfied them. [23] They longed for me to speak as those in drought-time long for rain. They waited eagerly with open mouths. [24] When they were discouraged, I smiled and that encouraged them and lightened their spirits. [25] I told them what they should do and corrected them as their chief, or as a king instructs his army, and as one who comforts those who mourn.
