1And Job again lifted up his parable and said:
2Oh that I were as in the months of long ago, as in the days when God watched over me,
3When his lamp shone over my head, by his light I walked through the darkness.
4just as I was in the days of my autumn, when God's intimacy was upon my tent;
5while the Almighty was still with me, and my boys were all around me;
6when my steps were bathed in curds, and the rock poured out beside me streams of oil.
7When I went out to the gate by the town, and in the broad place I set up my seat,
8the boys saw me and hid themselves, and the old men rose up and stood;
9chiefs held back their words, and put a palm to their mouth;
10the voice of the rulers was hidden, and their tongue stuck to their palate.
11For an ear heard and called me blessed, and an eye saw and bore witness to me;
12for I would deliver the poor who cried out for help, and the fatherless who had no helper.
13The blessing of the one about to perish came upon me, and I made the widow's heart ring out for joy.
14I put on 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.
16I was a father to the needy, and I would search out the dispute of one I did not know.
17I broke the fangs of the unjust, and from his teeth I threw the prey.
18And I said, With my nest I will breathe my last, and like the sand I will multiply my days.
19My root is opened wide to the waters, and the dew lodges all night on my branch.
20My weightiness is new with me, and my bow is renewed in my hand.
21To me they listened and waited, and were silent for my counsel.
22After my word they would not speak a second time, and my speech would drip upon them.
23And they waited for me as for the rain, and their mouths opened wide as for the spring rain.
24I would laugh to them when they did not believe, and the light of my face they would not let fall.
25I chose their way and dwelled as chief, and I abode like a king among the troop, as one who comforts mourners.