Job 29:1-20

[1]Job again took up his discourse 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 over my head, and by his light I walked through darkness; [4]when I was in my prime, when the friendship of God was upon my tent; [5]when the Almighty was still with me, when my children were around me; [6]when my steps were washed with milk, and the rock poured out for me streams of oil! [7]When I went out to the gate of the city, when I took my seat in the square, [8]the young men saw me and withdrew, and the aged rose up and stood; [9]the nobles refrained from talking, and laid their hands on their mouths; [10]the voices of princes were hushed, and their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths. [11]When the ear heard, it commended me, and when the eye saw, it approved; [12]because I delivered the poor who cried, and the orphan who had no helper. [13]The blessing of the wretched came upon me, and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. [14]I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was like a robe and a turban. [15]I was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame. [16]I was a father to the needy, and I championed the cause of the stranger. [17]I broke the fangs of the unrighteous, and made them drop their prey from their teeth. [18]Then I thought, 'I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days like the phoenix; [19]my roots spread out to the waters, with the dew all night on my branches; [20]my glory was fresh with me, and my bow ever new in my hand.'"