Job 29

Job went on speaking.

“I wish I was back in the old days when God looked after me!

His light shone above me and lit my way through the darkness.

When I was young and strong, God was my friend and spoke to me in my home.

The Almighty was still with me and I was surrounded with my children.

My herds produced much milk, and oil flowed freely from my olive presses.

I went out to the city gate and took my seat in the public square.

The young men saw me and moved out of the way; the elders would stand up for me.

The leaders remained silent and covered their mouths with their hands.

The voices of the officials were hushed; they held their tongues in my presence.

Everyone who listened to me praised me; whoever saw me commended me,

because I gave to the poor who called out to me and the orphans who had no one to help them.

Those who were about to die blessed me; I made the widow sing for joy.

Being true and acting right were what I wore for clothing.

I was like eyes for the blind and feet for the lame.

I was like a father to the poor, and I defended the rights of strangers.

I broke the jaw of the wicked and made them drop their prey from their teeth.

I thought I would die at home, after many years.

Like a tree my roots spread out to the water; the dew rests on my branches overnight.

Fresh honors were always being given to me; my strength was renewed like an unfailing bow.

People listened carefully to what I had to say; they kept quiet as they listened to my advice.

Once I had spoken they had nothing else to say; what I said was enough.

They waited for me like people waiting for rain; their mouths wide open for the spring rain.

When I smiled at them they could hardly believe it; my approval meant all the world to them.

I decided the way forward as their leader, living like a king among his soldiers, and when they were sad I comforted them.”