Job
29 Job continued his discourse,* saying:
2 “If only I were in the months gone by,
In the days when God was watching over me,
3 When he caused his lamp to shine upon my head,
When I walked through darkness by his light,+
When God’s friendship was felt in my tent,+
5 When the Almighty was still with me,
When my children* were all around me,
6 When my steps were awash in butter,
And the rocks poured out streams of oil for me.+
7 When I used to go out to the city gate+
And take my seat in the public square,+
8 The young men would see me and step aside,*
And even the old men would rise and remain standing.+
9 Princes refrained from speaking;
They would put their hand over their mouth.
10 The voices of the prominent men were silenced;
Their tongue was stuck to the roof of their mouth.
11 Whoever heard me would speak well of me,
And those who saw me would testify for me.
12 For I would rescue the poor who cried for help,+
Along with the fatherless child and anyone who had no helper.+
15 I became eyes to the blind
And feet to the lame.
18 I used to say, ‘I will die in my own home,*+
And my days will be as numerous as the grains of sand.
19 My roots will spread out into the waters,
And dew will stay all night on my branches.
20 My glory is constantly renewed,
And the bow in my hand will keep shooting.’