| Christian Standard Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1Job continued his discourse, saying: | 1Job continued speaking: |
| 2If only I could be as in months gone by, in the days when God watched over me, | 2“I long for the years gone by when God took care of me, |
| 3when his lamp shone above my head, and I walked through darkness by his light! | 3when he lit up the way before me and I walked safely through the darkness. |
| 4I would be as I was in the days of my youth when God's friendship rested on my tent, | 4When I was in my prime, God’s friendship was felt in my home. |
| 5when the Almighty was still with me and my children were around me, | 5The Almighty was still with me, and my children were around me. |
| 6when my feet were bathed in curds and the rock poured out streams of oil for me! | 6My steps were awash in cream, and the rocks gushed olive oil for me. |
| 7When I went out to the city gate and took my seat in the town square, | 7“Those were the days when I went to the city gate and took my place among the honored leaders. |
| 8the young men saw me and withdrew, while older men stood to their feet. | 8The young stepped aside when they saw me, and even the aged rose in respect at my coming. |
| 9City officials stopped talking and covered their mouths with their hands. | 9The princes stood in silence and put their hands over their mouths. |
| 10The noblemen's voices were hushed, and their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths. | 10The highest officials of the city stood quietly, holding their tongues in respect. |
| 11When they heard me, they blessed me, and when they saw me, they spoke well of me. | 11“All who heard me praised me. All who saw me spoke well of me. |
| 12For I rescued the poor who cried out for help, and the fatherless child who had no one to support him. | 12For I assisted the poor in their need and the orphans who required help. |
| 13The dying blessed me, and I made the widow's heart rejoice. | 13I helped those without hope, and they blessed me. And I caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy. |
| 14I clothed myself in righteousness, and it enveloped me; my just decisions were like a robe and a turban. | 14Everything I did was honest. Righteousness covered me like a robe, and I wore justice like a turban. |
| 15I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. | 15I served as eyes for the blind and feet for the lame. |
| 16I was a father to the needy, and I examined the case of the stranger. | 16I was a father to the poor and assisted strangers who needed help. |
| 17I shattered the fangs of the unjust and snatched the prey from his teeth. | 17I broke the jaws of godless oppressors and plucked their victims from their teeth. |
| 18So I thought, "I will die in my own nest and multiply my days as the sand. | 18“I thought, ‘Surely I will die surrounded by my family after a long, good life. |
| 19My roots will have access to water, and the dew will rest on my branches all night. | 19For I am like a tree whose roots reach the water, whose branches are refreshed with the dew. |
| 20My whole being will be refreshed within me, and my bow will be renewed in my hand." | 20New honors are constantly bestowed on me, and my strength is continually renewed.’ |
| 21Men listened to me with expectation, waiting silently for my advice. | 21“Everyone listened to my advice. They were silent as they waited for me to speak. |
| 22After a word from me they did not speak again; my speech settled on them like dew. | 22And after I spoke, they had nothing to add, for my counsel satisfied them. |
| 23They waited for me as for the rain and opened their mouths as for spring showers. | 23They longed for me to speak as people long for rain. They drank my words like a refreshing spring rain. |
| 24If I smiled at them, they couldn't believe it; they were thrilled at the light of my countenance. | 24When they were discouraged, I smiled at them. My look of approval was precious to them. |
| 25I directed their course and presided as chief. I lived as a king among his troops, like one who comforts those who mourn. | 25Like a chief, I told them what to do. I lived like a king among his troops and comforted those who mourned. |
| The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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