Job 29

1And Job adds to lift up his allegory and says:

2“Who makes me as [in] months past, || As [in] the days of God’s preserving me?

3In His causing His lamp to shine on my head, || By His light I walk [through] darkness.

4As I have been in days of my maturity, || And the counsel of God on my tent.

5When yet the Mighty One [is] with me. Around me—my young ones,

6When washing my goings with butter, || And the firm rock [is] with me—streams of oil.

7When I go out to the gate by the city, || In a broad place I prepare my seat.

8Youths have seen me, and they have been hidden, || And the aged have risen—they stood up.

9Princes have kept in words, || And they place a hand on their mouth.

10The voice of leaders has been hidden, || And their tongue has cleaved to the palate.

11For the ear heard, and declares me blessed, || And the eye has seen, and testifies [to] me.

12For I deliver the afflicted who is crying, || And the fatherless who has no helper.

13The blessing of the perishing comes on me, || And I cause the heart of the widow to sing.

14I have put on righteousness, and it clothes me, || My justice as a robe and a crown.

15I have been eyes to the blind, || And I [am] feet to the lame.

16I [am] a father to the needy, || And the cause I have not known I search out.

17And I break the jaw-teeth of the perverse, || And from his teeth I cast away prey.

18And I say, I expire with my nest, || And I multiply days as the sand.

19My root is open to the waters, || And dew lodges on my branch.

20My glory [is] fresh with me, || And my bow is renewed in my hand.

21They have listened to me, || Indeed, they wait, and are silent for my counsel.

22After my word they do not change, || And my speech drops on them,

23And they wait for me as [for] rain, || And they have opened wide their mouth || [As] for the spring rain.

24I laugh at them—they give no credence, || And do not cause the light of my face to fall.

25I choose their way, and sit [as] head, || And I dwell as a king in a troop, || When he comforts mourners.”