Job 29
NET Parallel ISV [BSB CSB ESV HCS KJV ISV NAS NET NIV NLT HEB]
NET BibleInternational Standard Version
1Then Job continued his speech: 1Then Job continued with his discourse:
2"O that I could be as I was in the months now gone, in the days when God watched over me, 2"I wish I could go back to how things were a few months ago; when God used to watch over me,
3when he caused his lamp to shine upon my head, and by his light I walked through darkness; 3when his lamp used to shine over my head, so I could walk through the dark,
4just as I was in my most productive time, when God's intimate friendship was experienced in my tent, 4like when I was in my prime and God trusted me with his secrets!
5when the Almighty was still with me and my children were around me; 5"The Almighty was still with me back then, and my children were still around me.
6when my steps were bathed with butter and the rock poured out for me streams of olive oil! 6I was successful wherever I went, and even the rocks poured out streams of olive oil for me."
7When I went out to the city gate and secured my seat in the public square, 7"Whenever I went out to the city gate, a seat had been reserved for me in the plaza.
8the young men would see me and step aside, and the old men would get up and remain standing; 8The young men would see me and withdraw, and the aged would rise and stand.
9the chief men refrained from talking and covered their mouths with their hands; 9Nobles would refrain from speaking, covering their mouths with their hands.
10the voices of the nobles fell silent, and their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths. 10The voices of the commanders-in-chief were hushed, and their tongues would cling to the roofs of their mouths."
11"As soon as the ear heard these things, it blessed me, and when the eye saw them, it bore witness to me, 11"When people heard me speak, they blessed me; when people saw me, they approved me,
12for I rescued the poor who cried out for help, and the orphan who had no one to assist him; 12because I delivered the poor who were crying for help, along with orphans who had no one to help them.
13the blessing of the dying man descended on me, and I made the widow's heart rejoice; 13Those who were about to die blessed me, and I made widows sing for joy.
14I put on righteousness and it clothed me, my just dealing was like a robe and a turban; 14I put on righteousness like clothing; my just decisions were like a robe and a turban.
15I was eyes for the blind and feet for the lame; 15I served as eyes for the blind and feet for the lame.
16I was a father to the needy, and I investigated the case of the person I did not know; 16I was a father to the needy; I diligently inquired into the case of those I didn't know.
17I broke the fangs of the wicked, and made him drop his prey from his teeth. 17I broke the fangs of the wicked, and made him drop the prey."
18"Then I thought, 'I will die in my own home, my days as numerous as the grains of sand. 18"I used to say: 'I will die in my home. I'm going to live as many days as there are grains of sand on the shore.
19My roots reach the water, and the dew lies on my branches all night long. 19My roots have spread out and have found water, and dew settles at night on my branches.
20My glory will always be fresh in me, and my bow ever new in my hand.' 20My glory renews for me and my bow is as good as new in my hand.'
21"People listened to me and waited silently; they kept silent for my advice. 21"They listened and waited for me, as they remained in silence for my counsel.
22After I had spoken, they did not respond; my words fell on them drop by drop. 22After I spoke, they had nothing to say, when what I said hit them.
23They waited for me as people wait for the rain, and they opened their mouths as for the spring rains. 23They waited for me as one waits for rain, as one opens his mouth to drink in a spring rain shower.
24If I smiled at them, they hardly believed it; and they did not cause the light of my face to darken. 24I smiled at them when they had no confidence, and no one could discourage me.
25I chose the way for them and sat as their chief; I lived like a king among his troops; I was like one who comforts mourners. 25I set an example of the way to live, as a leader would; I lived like a king among his army; like one who comforts mourners."
NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. //netbible.com. Used by permission. All rights reserved.The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.
Job 28
Top of Page
Top of Page