Job 29

Moreover Job continued his parable, and said,

Job, with a heavy heart, continued his story, saying,

Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me;

I long for the times gone by, when I felt God's protective embrace around me.

When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness;

When His divine light illuminated my path, guiding me through the darkest times.

As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle;

Back in my youthful days, when God's close friendship rested over my home.

When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me;

When God was still by my side, surrounded by the laughter and love of my children;

When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil;

As I cleansed my path with richness, the earth generously gifted me with streams of abundance.

When I went out to the gate through the city, when I prepared my seat in the street!

As I stepped into the bustling city through its grand gate, setting up my spot amidst the lively streets, I felt a surge of anticipation!

The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up.

When the youth spotted me, they shyly retreated, while the elders, filled with respect, rose to their feet.

The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth.

The leaders fell silent, placing their hands over their mouths in awe.

The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth.

The elites fell silent, their tongues stuck, unable to utter a word.

When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me:

When people heard me, they spoke well of me; and when they saw me, they praised me.

Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.

I reached out to the weeping needy, the abandoned child, and the helpless one, offering them my aid.

The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.

The blessing of the one who was close to dying came upon me; I brought a spark of happiness back into the grieving widow's heart.

I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem.

I embraced goodness, it became my second skin. Justice was my cloak and crown.

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

I served as sight for those who couldn't see, and as mobility for those who couldn't walk.

I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out.

I lovingly cared for those in need, and I took the trouble to look into the case of anyone I didn't even know.

And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth.

I shattered the strength of the wicked, and snatched the ill-gotten gains from their grasp.

Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand.

So I said to myself, "I'll breathe my last in my safe haven, and my days will be as countless as grains of sand."

My root was spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branch.

My roots reached out to the life-giving waters, and the night's dew gently rested on my branches.

My glory was fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my hand.

My spirit was vibrant within me, and my strength was restored, ready for action.

Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel.

People listened to me intently, patiently waiting, and respected my advice in silence.

After my words they spake not again; and my speech dropped upon them.

After I spoke, they fell silent; my words resonated deeply within them.

And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain.

They eagerly anticipated my arrival, like parched earth awaiting rain; they welcomed me with open hearts, like the earth embracing the final downpour.

If I laughed on them, they believed it not; and the light of my countenance they cast not down.

Even when I smiled at them, they doubted it; they couldn't dim the brightness of my spirit.

I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforteth the mourners.

I guided their path, took the lead, and ruled like a king among warriors, offering solace to those in sorrow.