Job Speaks of His Former Blessings
1 Job continued speaking:
1 Job continued speaking:
2 “I long for the years gone by
when God took care of me,
when God took care of me,
3 when he lit up the way before me
and I walked safely through the darkness.
and I walked safely through the darkness.
4 When I was in my prime,
God’s friendship was felt in my home.
God’s friendship was felt in my home.
5 The Almighty was still with me,
and my children were around me.
and my children were around me.
6 My steps were awash in cream,
and the rocks gushed olive oil for me.
and the rocks gushed olive oil for me.
7 “Those were the days when I went to the city gate
and took my place among the honored leaders.
and took my place among the honored leaders.
8 The young stepped aside when they saw me,
and even the aged rose in respect at my coming.
and even the aged rose in respect at my coming.
9 The princes stood in silence
and put their hands over their mouths.
and put their hands over their mouths.
10 The highest officials of the city stood quietly,
holding their tongues in respect.
holding their tongues in respect.
11 “All who heard me praised me.
All who saw me spoke well of me.
All who saw me spoke well of me.
12 For I assisted the poor in their need
and the orphans who required help.
and the orphans who required help.
13 I helped those without hope, and they blessed me.
And I caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy.
And I caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy.
14 Everything I did was honest.
Righteousness covered me like a robe,
and I wore justice like a turban.
Righteousness covered me like a robe,
and I wore justice like a turban.
15 I served as eyes for the blind
and feet for the lame.
and feet for the lame.
16 I was a father to the poor
and assisted strangers who needed help.
and assisted strangers who needed help.
17 I broke the jaws of godless oppressors
and plucked their victims from their teeth.
and plucked their victims from their teeth.
18 “I thought, ‘Surely I will die surrounded by my family
after a long, good life.a
after a long, good life.a
19 For I am like a tree whose roots reach the water,
whose branches are refreshed with the dew.
whose branches are refreshed with the dew.
20 New honors are constantly bestowed on me,
and my strength is continually renewed.’
and my strength is continually renewed.’
21 “Everyone listened to my advice.
They were silent as they waited for me to speak.
They were silent as they waited for me to speak.
22 And after I spoke, they had nothing to add,
for my counsel satisfied them.
for my counsel satisfied them.
23 They longed for me to speak as people long for rain.
They drank my words like a refreshing spring rain.
They drank my words like a refreshing spring rain.
24 When they were discouraged, I smiled at them.
My look of approval was precious to them.
My look of approval was precious to them.
25 Like a chief, I told them what to do.
I lived like a king among his troops
and comforted those who mourned.
I lived like a king among his troops
and comforted those who mourned.
Job, 29 chapter