Job 29
1 AND JOB again took up his discussion and said,2 Oh, that I were as in the months of old, as in the days when God watched over me, 3 When His lamp shone above and upon my head and by His light I walked through darkness;4 As I was in the [prime] ripeness of my days, when the friendship and counsel of God were over my tent,5 When the Almighty was yet with me and my children were about me,6 When my steps [through rich pasturage] were washed with butter and the rock poured out for me streams of oil!7 When I went out to the gate of the city, when I prepared my seat in the street [the broad place for the council at the city’s gate],8 The young men saw me and hid themselves; the aged rose up and stood;9 The princes refrained from talking and laid their hands on their mouths;10 The voices of the nobles were hushed, and their tongues cleaved to the roof of their mouths.11 For when the ear heard, it called me happy and blessed me; and when the eye saw, it testified for me [approvingly],12 Because I delivered the poor who cried, the fatherless and him who had none to help him.13 The blessing of him who was about to perish came upon me, and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me or clothed itself with me; my justice was like a robe and a turban or a diadem or a crown!15 I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame.16 I was a father to the poor and needy; the cause of him I did not know I searched out.17 And I broke the jaws or the big teeth of the unrighteous and plucked the prey out of his teeth.18 Then I said, I shall die in or beside my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand.19 My root is spread out and open to the waters, and the dew lies all night upon my branch.20 My glory and honor are fresh in me [being constantly renewed], and my bow gains [ever] new strength in my hand.21 Men listened to me and waited and kept silence for my counsel.22 After I spoke, they did not speak again, and my speech dropped upon them [like a refreshing shower].23 And they waited for me as for the rain, and they opened their mouths wide as for the spring rain.24 I smiled on them when they had no confidence, and their depression did not cast down the light of my countenance.25 I chose their way [for them] and sat as [their] chief, and dwelt like a king among his soldiers, like one who comforts mourners.
Job 29
Chapter 29
Job Speaks of His Former Blessings
1 Job continued speaking:
2 “I long for the years gone by
when God took care of me,3 when he lit up the way before me
and I walked safely through the darkness.4 When I was in my prime,
God’s friendship was felt in my home.5 The Almighty was still with me,
and my children were around me.6 My cows produced milk in abundance,
and my groves poured out streams of olive oil.7 “Those were the days when I went to the city gate
and took my place among the honored leaders.8 The young stepped aside when they saw me,
and even the aged rose in respect at my coming.9 The princes stood in silence
and put their hands over their mouths.10 The highest officials of the city stood quietly,
holding their tongues in respect.11 “All who heard me praised me.
All who saw me spoke well of me.12 For I assisted the poor in their need
and the orphans who required help.13 I helped those without hope, and they blessed me.
And I caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy.14 Everything I did was honest.
Righteousness covered me like a robe,
and I wore justice like a turban.15 I served as eyes for the blind
and feet for the lame.16 I was a father to the poor
and assisted strangers who needed help.17 I broke the jaws of godless oppressors
and plucked their victims from their teeth.18 “I thought, ‘Surely I will die surrounded by my family
after a long, good life.t19 For I am like a tree whose roots reach the water,
whose branches are refreshed with the dew.20 New honors are constantly bestowed on me,
and my strength is continually renewed.’21 “Everyone listened to my advice.
They were silent as they waited for me to speak.22 And after I spoke, they had nothing to add,
for my counsel satisfied them.23 They longed for me to speak as people long for rain.
They drank my words like a refreshing spring rain.24 When they were discouraged, I smiled at them.
My look of approval was precious to them.25 Like a chief, I told them what to do.
I lived like a king among his troops
and comforted those who mourned.