Job 29

₂If only my life could once again

be as it was when God watched over me.

₃God was always with me then

and gave me light as I walked through the darkness.

₄Those were the days when I was prosperous,

and the friendship of God protected my home.

₅Almighty God was with me then,

and I was surrounded by all my children.

₆My cows and goats gave plenty of milk,

and my olive trees grew in the rockiest soil.

₇Whenever the city elders met

and I took my place among them,

₈young men stepped aside as soon as they saw me,

and old men stood up to show me respect.

₉The leaders of the people would stop talking;

₁₀even the most important men kept silent.

₁₁Everyone who saw me or heard of me

had good things to say about what I had done.

₁₂When the poor cried out, I helped them;

I gave help to orphans who had nowhere to turn.

₁₃Those who were in deepest misery praised me,

and I helped widows find security.

₁₄I have always acted justly and fairly.

₁₅I was eyes for the blind,

and feet for the lame.

₁₆I was like a father to the poor

and took the side of strangers in trouble.

₁₇I destroyed the power of cruel men

and rescued their victims.

₁₈I always expected to live a long life

and to die at home in comfort.

₁₉I was like a tree whose roots always have water

and whose branches are wet with dew.

₂₀Everyone was always praising me,

and my strength never failed me.

₂₁When I gave advice, people were silent

and listened carefully to what I said;

₂₂they had nothing to add when I had finished.

My words sank in like drops of rain;

₂₃everyone welcomed them

just as farmers welcome rain in spring.

₂₄I smiled on them when they had lost confidence;

my cheerful face encouraged them.

₂₅I took charge and made the decisions;

I led them as a king leads his troops,

and gave them comfort in their despair.