Job 29:7-25 ▼

7 When I go out to the gate by the city, || In a broad place I prepare my seat.

8 Youths have seen me, and they have been hidden, || And the aged have risen—they stood up.

9 Princes have kept in words, || And they place a hand on their mouth.

10 The voice of leaders has been hidden, || And their tongue has cleaved to the palate.

11 For the ear heard, and declares me blessed, || And the eye has seen, and testifies [to] me.

12 For I deliver the afflicted who is crying, || And the fatherless who has no helper.

13 The blessing of the perishing comes on me, || And I cause the heart of the widow to sing.

14 I have put on righteousness, and it clothes me, || My justice as a robe and a crown.

15 I have been eyes to the blind, || And I [am] feet to the lame.

16 I [am] a father to the needy, || And the cause I have not known I search out.

17 And I break the jaw-teeth of the perverse, || And from his teeth I cast away prey.

18 And I say, I expire with my nest, || And I multiply days as the sand.

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

20 My glory [is] fresh with me, || And my bow is renewed in my hand.

21 They have listened to me, || Indeed, they wait, and are silent for my counsel.

22 After my word they do not change, || And my speech drops on them,

23 And they wait for me as [for] rain, || And they have opened wide their mouth || [As] for the spring rain.

24 I laugh at them—they give no credence, || And do not cause the light of my face to fall.

25 I choose their way, and sit [as] head, || And I dwell as a king in a troop, || When he comforts mourners.”