Job 29

1 Then Job continued with his discourse:ISV — Job 29:1

2 “I wish I could go back to how things were a few months ago; when God used to watch over me,ISV — Job 29:2

3 when his lamp used to shine over my head, so I could walk through the dark,ISV — Job 29:3

4 like when I was in my prime and God trusted me with his secrets! ^{a29:4 Lit. God’s counsel was over my tent}ISV — Job 29:4

5 “The Almighty was still with me back then, and my children were still around me.ISV — Job 29:5

6 I was successful wherever I went, ^{b29:6 Lit. When my feet were bathed in cream;} and even the rocks poured out streams of olive oil for me.”ISV — Job 29:6

7 “Whenever I went out to the city gate, a seat had been reserved for me in the plaza. ^{c29:7 Lit. square; i.e. he served as a ruling elder in his home city}ISV — Job 29:7

8 The young men would see me and withdraw, and the aged would rise and stand.ISV — Job 29:8

9 Nobles would refrain from speaking, covering their mouths with their hands.ISV — Job 29:9

10 The voices of the commanders-in-chief ^{d29:10 Lit. Nagidim; i.e. senior officers entrusted with dual roles of operational oversight and administrative authority} were hushed, and their tongues would cling to the roofs of their mouths.”ISV — Job 29:10

11 “When people heard me speak, they blessed me; when people saw me, they approved me,ISV — Job 29:11

12 because I delivered the poor who were crying for help, along with orphans who had no one to help them.ISV — Job 29:12

13 Those who were about to die blessed me, and I made widows sing for joy.ISV — Job 29:13

14 I put on righteousness like clothing; my just decisions were like a robe and a turban.ISV — Job 29:14

15 I served as eyes for the blind and feet for the lame.ISV — Job 29:15

16 I was a father to the needy; I diligently inquired into the case of those I didn’t know.ISV — Job 29:16

17 I broke the fangs of the wicked, and made him drop the prey.”ISV — Job 29:17

18 “I used to say: ‘I will die in my home. ^{e29:18 Lit. nest} I’m going to live as many days as there are grains of sand on the shore. ^{f29:18 The Heb. lacks on the shore}ISV — Job 29:18

19 My roots have spread out and have found water, and dew settles at night on my branches.ISV — Job 29:19

20 My glory renews for me and my bow is as good as new in my hand.’ISV — Job 29:20

21 “They listened and waited for me, as they remained in silence for my counsel.ISV — Job 29:21

22 After I spoke, they had nothing to say, when what I said hit them.ISV — Job 29:22

23 They waited for me as one waits for rain, as one opens his mouth to drink in a spring rain shower.ISV — Job 29:23

24 I smiled at them when they had no confidence, and no one could discourage me.ISV — Job 29:24

25 I set an example of the way to live, ^{g29:25 Lit. I chose their way} as a leader would; I lived like a king among his army; like one who comforts mourners.”ISV — Job 29:25