[1] And Job again took up his discussion and said, [2] “Oh, that I were as in the months of old, As in the days when God watched over me, [3] When His lamp shone upon my head And by His light I walked through darkness; [4] As I was in the prime of my days, When the friendship and counsel of God were over my tent, [5] When the Almighty was still with me And my boys were around me, [6] When my steps [through rich pastures] were washed with butter and cream [from my livestock], And the rock poured out for me streams of oil [from my olive groves]. [7] When I went out to the gate of the city, When I took my seat [as a city father] in the square, [8] The young men saw me and hid themselves, The aged arose and stood [respectfully]; [9] The princes stopped talking And put their hands on their mouths; [10] The voices of the nobles were hushed, And their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths. [11] For when an ear heard [my name mentioned], it called me happy and fortunate; And when an eye saw [me], it testified for me [approvingly], [12] Because I rescued the poor who cried for help, And the orphan who had no helper. [13] The blessing of him who was about to perish came upon me, And I made the widow’s heart sing for joy. [14] I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; My justice was like a robe and a turban! [15] I was eyes to the blind And I was feet to the lame. [16] I was a father to the needy; I investigated the case I did not know [and assured justice]. [17] And I smashed the jaws of the wicked And snatched the prey from his teeth. [18] Then I said, ‘I shall die in my nest, And I shall multiply my days as the sand. [19] My root is spread out and open to the waters, And the dew lies all night upon my branch. [20] My glory and honor are fresh in me [being constantly renewed], And my bow gains [ever] new strength in my hand.’ [21] “They listened to me and waited And kept silent for my counsel. [22] After I spoke, they did not speak again, And my speech dropped upon them [like a refreshing shower]. [23] They waited for me [and for my words] as for the rain, And they opened their mouths as for the spring rain. [24] I smiled at them when they did not believe, And they did not diminish the light of my face. [25] I chose a way for them and sat as chief, And dwelt as a king among his soldiers, As one who comforts mourners.
