[1] Job took up his subject again: [2] Oh, that life was like it used to be, like days when God watched over me; [3] when his lamp shone on my head, I walked by his light in the dark; [4] when I was in my prime; when God’s counsel was in my tent; [5] when the Almighty was with me, my children around me; [6] when my steps were washed with cream and a rock poured out pools of oil for me. [7] When I went out to the city gate, took my seat in the square, [8] the young saw me and drew back; the old rose and stood; [9] princes restrained speech, put their hand on their mouth; [10] the voices of officials were hushed, their tongue stuck to their palate. [11] Indeed, the ear that heard blessed me; the eye that looked commended me, [12] because I rescued the weak who cried out, the orphans who lacked help. [13] The blessing of the perishing reached me; I made the widow’s heart sing; [14] I put on justice, and it clothed me, righteousness as my coat and turban; [15] I was eyes to the blind, feet to the lame. [16] I was a father to the needy; the case I didn’t know, I examined. [17] I shattered the fangs of the wicked, rescued prey from their teeth. [18] I thought, I’ll die in my nest, multiply days like sand, [19] my roots opening to water, dew lingering on my branches, [20] my honor newly with me, my bow ever successful in my hand. [21] People listened to me and waited, were silent for my advice. [22] After my speech, they didn’t respond. My words fell gently on them; [23] they waited for me as for rain, opened their mouth as for spring rain. [24] I smiled on them; they couldn’t believe it. They never showed me disfavor. [25] I decided their path, sat as chief. I lived like a king with his troops, like one who comforts mourners.
