Job 29

1 Job again took up his parable, and said,NHEB — Job 29:1

2 "Oh that I were as in the months of old, as in the days when God watched over me;NHEB — Job 29:2

3 when his lamp shone on my head, and by his light I walked through darkness,NHEB — Job 29:3

4 as I was in the ripeness of my days, when the friendship of God was in my tent,NHEB — Job 29:4

5 when Shaddai was yet with me, and my children were around me,NHEB — Job 29:5

6 when my steps were washed with butter, and the rock poured out streams of oil for me,NHEB — Job 29:6

7 when I went forth to the city gate, when I prepared my seat in the street.NHEB — Job 29:7

8 The young men saw me and hid themselves. The aged rose up and stood.NHEB — Job 29:8

9 The princes refrained from talking, and laid their hand on their mouth.NHEB — Job 29:9

10 The voice of the nobles was hushed, and their tongue stuck to the roof of their mouth.NHEB — Job 29:10

11 For when the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it commended me:NHEB — Job 29:11

12 Because I delivered the poor who cried, and the fatherless also, who had none to help him,NHEB — Job 29:12

13 the blessing of him who was ready to perish came on me, and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.NHEB — Job 29:13

14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me. My justice was as a robe and a diadem.NHEB — Job 29:14

15 I was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame.NHEB — Job 29:15

16 I was a father to the needy. The cause of him who I did not know, I searched out.NHEB — Job 29:16

17 I broke the jaws of the unrighteous, and plucked the prey out of his teeth.NHEB — Job 29:17

18 Then I said, 'I shall die in my own house, I shall number my days as the sand.NHEB — Job 29:18

19 My root is spread out to the waters. The dew lies all night on my branch.NHEB — Job 29:19

20 My glory is fresh in me. My bow is renewed in my hand.'NHEB — Job 29:20

21 "Men listened to me, waited, and kept silence for my counsel.NHEB — Job 29:21

22 After my words they did not speak again. My speech fell on them.NHEB — Job 29:22

23 They waited for me as for the rain. Their mouths drank as with the spring rain.NHEB — Job 29:23

24 I smiled on them when they had no confidence. They did not reject the light of my face.NHEB — Job 29:24

25 I chose out their way, and sat as chief. I lived as a king in the army, as one who comforts the mourners.NHEB — Job 29:25