Job 29

1Job went on speaking. 2“I wish I was back in the old days when God looked after me! 3His light shone above me and lit my way through the darkness. 4When I was young and strong, God was my friend and spoke to me in my home. 5The Almighty was still with me and I was surrounded with my children. 6My herds produced much milk,1 and oil flowed freely from my olive presses. 7I went out to the city gate and took my seat in the public square.2 8The young men saw me and moved out of the way; the elders would stand up for me.3 9The leaders remained silent and covered their mouths with their hands. 10The voices of the officials were hushed; they held their tongues in my presence.

11Everyone who listened to me praised me; whoever saw me commended me, 12because I gave to the poor who called out to me and the orphans who had no one to help them. 13Those who were about to die blessed me; I made the widow sing for joy. 14Being true and acting right4 were what I wore for clothing. 15I was like eyes for the blind and feet for the lame. 16I was like a father to the poor, and I defended the rights of strangers. 17I broke the jaw of the wicked and made them drop their prey from their teeth. 18I thought I would die at home, after many years.5 19Like a tree my roots spread out to the water; the dew rests on my branches overnight. 20Fresh honors were always being given to me; my strength was renewed like an unfailing bow.

21People listened carefully to what I had to say; they kept quiet as they listened to my advice. 22Once I had spoken they had nothing else to say; what I said was enough.6 23They waited for me like people waiting for rain; their mouths wide open for the spring rain. 24When I smiled at them they could hardly believe it; my approval meant all the world to them.7 25I decided the way forward as their leader, living like a king among his soldiers, and when they were sad I comforted them.”