Job 29

1 And Job again took up his measure, and said,

2 Oh that it were with me as in the months of old, as in the days, when, GOD, used to watch over me;

3 When his lamp shone over my head, by whose light, I could go through darkness;

4 As I was, in the days of my prime, when, the intimacy of GOD, was over my tent;

5 While yet the Almighty was with me, round about me, were my young men;

6 When my steps were bathed in milk, and, the rock, poured out beside me, rivulets of oil:

7 When I went out to the gate unto the city, in the open place, made ready my seat,

8 Young men saw me, and hid themselves, and, the aged, arose—they stood;

9 Rulers, restrained speech, and, a hand, laid they on their mouth;

10 The voice of nobles, was hushed, and their tongue to their palate, did cleave;

11 When, the ear, heard, then it pronounced me happy, When, the eye, saw, then it bare me witness;

12 Because I used to deliver the oppressed who was crying out for aid, the fatherless also, and him that had no helper;

13 The blessing of him that was ready to perish, upon me was wont to descend, and, the heart of the widow, caused I to sing for joy;

14 Righteousness, I put on, and it clothed me, Like a robe and turban, was my, justice;

15 Eyes, became I to the, blind, and, feet to the lame, was, I!

16 A father, was, I, to the needy, and, as for the cause which I knew not, I used to search it out;

17 And I shivered the fangs of the perverse, —and, out of his teeth, I tare the prey.

18 Then said I, Like a stem, shall I grow old, yea, as the sand, shall I multiply days:

19 My root, is laid open to the waters, and, the dew, shall lodge for the night in my boughs;

20 Mine honour, shall be young again with me, and, my bow, in my hand, be renewed.

21 To me, men hearkened, and waited, and kept silence for my counsel;

22 After I had spoken, they spake not again, and, upon them, used my speech to drop;

23 And they waited, as for rain, for me, and, their mouths, they opened wide for the spring-rain;

24 I laughed at them—they lost confidence, and, the light of my countenance, they suffered not to fail;

25 I chose out their way, and sat chief, —and abode, as king, in an army, as one who, to mourners, giveth comfort.