2“Oh, that I were as in months past, as in the days when God watched over me; 3When His lamp shined upon my head, and when by His light I walked through darkness; 4As I was in the days of my youth, when the friendship of God graced my home; 5When the Almighty was still with me, when my children were all around me; 6When my steps were awash with cream and butter, and the rock poured out rivers of oil for me; 7When I went out to the gate of the city, when I took my seat in the public square!

8The young men saw me, and stepped aside; and the aged arose, and stood. 9The princes refrained from talking out of respect. 10The nobles also kept their silence. 11When they heard me, then they spoke well of me; and showed approval to me,

12Because I rescued the poor that cried, the orphans, and him that had none to help him. 13He that was ready to perish blessed me; and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. 14I was clothed with righteousness; my justice {judgment} was like a robe and a diadem. 15I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. 16I was a father to the poor; and I searched out and took up the cause of him I did not know. 17And I broke the jaws of the wicked, and snatched his victims out of his teeth.

18I thought, ‘I shall die in my own house, and I shall multiply my days as the sand’. 19My roots spread to the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branch. 20My glory was fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my hand. 21Me men gave ear to me, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel. 22They did not speak after I spoke; and my counsel satisfied them. 23And they waited for me as for the rain; and they drank in my words like s refreshing spring rain. 24When I smiled at them, they were warmed by the light of my countenance. 25I gave them direction, and sat as chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforts the mourners.