Job 29

Job kept speaking to his three friends. He said, 2 “I wish that I could be as I was previously during the time when God was taking care of me. 3 During that time, it was if God was shining a light on me so that I could see where I was going even in the darkness. \* 4 At that time I was young and strong. Because God was my friend, he protected where I lived. 5 Shaddai was still present with me during that time when all my children were still alive and living near me. 6 My herds provided me with plenty of milk. My olive trees provided me with plenty of oil. \* 7 I used to go to the place where the elders gathered at the city gate. The people had reserved a seat for me there, and I would sit in it. 8 When young men saw me, they stepped aside respectfully. When older men saw me, they stood up respectfully. \* 9 The leaders of the people used to stop talking when I arrived. They made sure they did not say anything{, because they knew it would not be as good as what I was going to say}. 10 Even the most important leaders became quiet. It was as if they were not even able to speak. \* 11 When people heard what I had to say, they said good things about me. They recognized that I had given wise counsel, and they approved of me 12 {They approved of me} because I had helped those who were poor and who were calling for help. {They also approved of me because} I aided orphans who had no fathers to help them. 13 People who had been suffering and were about to die praised me {for rescuing them}. I made widows very happy by helping them. \* 14 It was in my character to make sure that I and others did what was right. Yes, it was in my character to make sure that people treated one another in a way that was just. 15 I helped people who could not see, as if I were seeing for them. I helped people who could not walk, as if I were walking for them. 16 I protected poor people the way a father protects his children. In the courts, I defended even people who were strangers to me. \* 17 I made wicked people stop oppressing others. It was as if I were breaking the jaws of a wild animal to make it drop its victim from its teeth. 18 At that time I thought, ‘I am certainly going to live a long life, and then I will die at home with my family. 19 I am like a tree whose roots reach down into the water and whose branches become wet with dew each night. \* 20 People continually honor me, and I stay strong like a new bow.’ 21 When I spoke, people waited to hear what I would say. They remained silent until I advised them what they should do. 22 After I finished speaking, they did not say anything, because what I had said was so satisfying. \* 23 They were as eager to hear me speak as farmers are for it to rain. They listened to me with great appreciation, just as the ground seems to welcome the rain that falls in the spring. 24 I helped people who felt discouraged. I remained cheerful even as I helped them deal with difficult situations. \* 25 As their leader, I decided what things would be good for them to do. They respected me, just as soldiers respect the king who commands their army. I was kind and sympathetic, like someone who comforts people who are mourning. \*