< Job 29 >

1 And Job continued and said in his parable, 2 Oh that I were as in months past, wherein God preserved me! 3 As when his lamp shone over my head; when by his light I walked through darkness. 4 [As] when I steadfastly pursued my ways, when God took care of my house. 5 When I was very fruitful, and my children were about me; 6 when my ways were moistened with butter, and the mountains flowed for me with milk. 7 When I went forth early in the city, and the seat was placed for me in the streets. 8 The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and all the old men stood up. 9 And the great men ceased speaking, and laid their finger on their mouth. 10 And they that heard [me] blessed me, and their tongue clave to their throat. 11 For the ear heard, and blessed me; and the eye saw me, and turned aside. 12 For I saved the poor out of the hand of the oppressor, and helped the fatherless who had no helper. 13 Let the blessing of the perishing one come upon me; yes, the mouth of the widow has blessed me. 14 Also I put on righteousness, and clothed myself with judgement like a mantle. 15 I was the eye of the blind, and the foot of the lame. 16 I was the father of the helpless; and I searched out the cause which I knew not. 17 And I broke the jaw teeth of the unrighteous; I plucked the spoil out of the midst of their teeth. 18 And I said, My age shall continue as the stem of a palm tree; I shall live a long while. 19 [My] root was spread out by the water, and the dew would lodge on my crop. 20 My glory was fresh in me, and by bow prospered in his hand. 21 [Men] heard me, and gave heed, and they were silent at my counsel. 22 At my word they spoke not again, and they were very gland whenever I spoke to them. 23 As the thirsty earth expecting the rain, so they [waited for] my speech. 24 Were I to laugh on them, they would not believe [it]; and the light of my face has not failed. 25 I chose out their way, and sat chief, and lived as a king in the midst of warriors, as one comforting mourners.

< Job 29 >