Job 29
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New Living TranslationHolman Christian Standard Bible
1Job continued speaking:1Job continued his discourse, saying:
2“I long for the years gone by when God took care of me,2If only I could be as in months gone by, in the days when God watched over me,
3when he lit up the way before me and I walked safely through the darkness.3when His lamp shone above my head, and I walked through darkness by His light!
4When I was in my prime, God’s friendship was felt in my home.4I would be as I was in the days of my youth when God's friendship rested on my tent,
5The Almighty was still with me, and my children were around me.5when the Almighty was still with me and my children were around me,
6My steps were awash in cream, and the rocks gushed olive oil for me.6when my feet were bathed in cream and the rock poured out streams of oil for me!
7“Those were the days when I went to the city gate and took my place among the honored leaders.7When I went out to the city gate and took my seat in the town square,
8The young stepped aside when they saw me, and even the aged rose in respect at my coming.8the young men saw me and withdrew, while older men stood to their feet.
9The princes stood in silence and put their hands over their mouths.9City officials stopped talking and covered their mouths with their hands.
10The highest officials of the city stood quietly, holding their tongues in respect.10The noblemen's voices were hushed, and their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths.
11“All who heard me praised me. All who saw me spoke well of me.11When they heard me, they blessed me, and when they saw me, they spoke well of me.
12For I assisted the poor in their need and the orphans who required help.12For I rescued the poor man who cried out for help, and the fatherless child who had no one to support him.
13I helped those without hope, and they blessed me. And I caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy.13The dying man blessed me, and I made the widow's heart rejoice.
14Everything I did was honest. Righteousness covered me like a robe, and I wore justice like a turban.14I clothed myself in righteousness, and it enveloped me; my just decisions were like a robe and a turban.
15I served as eyes for the blind and feet for the lame.15I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame.
16I was a father to the poor and assisted strangers who needed help.16I was a father to the needy, and I examined the case of the stranger.
17I broke the jaws of godless oppressors and plucked their victims from their teeth.17I shattered the fangs of the unjust and snatched the prey from his teeth.
18“I thought, ‘Surely I will die surrounded by my family after a long, good life.18So I thought: I will die in my own nest and multiply my days as the sand.
19For I am like a tree whose roots reach the water, whose branches are refreshed with the dew.19My roots will have access to water, and the dew will rest on my branches all night.
20New honors are constantly bestowed on me, and my strength is continually renewed.’20My strength will be refreshed within me, and my bow will be renewed in my hand.
21“Everyone listened to my advice. They were silent as they waited for me to speak.21Men listened to me with expectation, waiting silently for my advice.
22And after I spoke, they had nothing to add, for my counsel satisfied them.22After a word from me they did not speak again; my speech settled on them like dew.
23They longed for me to speak as people long for rain. They drank my words like a refreshing spring rain.23They waited for me as for the rain and opened their mouths as for spring showers.
24When they were discouraged, I smiled at them. My look of approval was precious to them.24If I smiled at them, they couldn't believe it; they were thrilled at the light of my countenance.
25Like a chief, I told them what to do. I lived like a king among his troops and comforted those who mourned.25I directed their course and presided as chief. I lived as a king among his troops, like one who comforts those who mourn.
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.Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.
Job 28
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