Job 29:7-25 ▼

7 Or in my going out to the gate upon the town, in the square I established my seat;

8 the young men saw me and hid themselves, and old men arose and stood;

9 the princes refrained from words, and they put a hand on their mouth;

10 the voice of the nobles was hidden, and their tongue stuck to their palate.

11 For the ear heard and declared me blessed, and the eye saw and testified for me,

12 because I rescued the poor crying out, and the fatherless, and no one was helping him.

13 The blessing of the one perishing came upon me, and the heart of the widow I caused to sing.

14 I clothed myself with righteousness, and it clothed me; like a robe and a turban was my justice.

15 I was eyes to the blind, and I was feet to the lame.

16 I was a father to the poor, and the case I did not know, I searched it out.

17 And I broke the fangs of the unjust, and I cast away the prey from his teeth.

18 So I said, ‘In my nest I will die, I will multiply my days as the sand.

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

20 My glory is fresh within me, and my bow in my hand is renewed.’

21 They listened to me and waited, and they kept silent for my counsel.

22 After my word, they did not speak again, and my speech dripped upon them.

23 And they waited for me as for the rain, and their mouth they opened wide, as for the spring rain.

24 I smiled at them, and they could not believe it, and the light of my face they did not let fall.

25 I chose their path and sat as chief, and I dwelt as a king with his band, like one who comforts the mourners.