1And Job again took up his discourse and said:
2Oh, that I were as in the months of old, as in the days when God watched over me,
3when his lamp shone over my head, and by his light I walked through darkness;
4as I was in the days of my prime, when the intimate counsel of God was over my tent,
5when the Almighty was still with me, and my young men were around me;
6when my steps were bathed in curds, and the rock poured out for me streams of oil.
7When I went out to the gate by the city, when I took my seat in the square,
8the young men saw me and withdrew, and the aged rose and stood.
9Princes held back their words and laid a hand upon their mouth;
10the voice of nobles was hushed, and their tongue clung to their palate.
11For when the ear heard, it called me blessed, and when the eye saw, it bore witness for me;
12because I rescued the poor who cried out, and the orphan who had no helper.
13The blessing of the perishing came upon me, and I made the widow’s heart sing for joy.
14I clothed myself with righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was like a robe and a turban.
15I was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame was I.
16I was a father to the needy, and the cause of one I did not know I would investigate.
17I broke the fangs of the unjust, and from his teeth I flung the prey.
18So I said, ‘I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days like the sand.’
19My root was open to the water, and dew lodged on my branches.
20My glory was fresh within me, and my bow was renewed in my hand.
21To me they listened and waited, and they kept silent for my counsel.
22After my word they did not speak again, and my speech dropped upon them.
23They waited for me as for the rain, and opened their mouths wide as for the spring rain.
24When I smiled at them, they did not believe it, and the light of my face they did not let fall.
25I would choose their way and sit as chief; I dwelt like a king among the troops, like one who comforts mourners.
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