[1] And Job again took up the word and said, [2] If only I might again be
as I was in the months which are past, in the days when God was watching
over me! [3] When his light was shining over my head, and when I went
through the dark by his light. [4] As I was in my flowering years, when my
tent was covered by the hand of God; [5] While the Ruler of all was still
with me, and my children were round me; [6] When my steps were washed with
milk, and rivers of oil were flowing out of the rock for me. [7] When I
went out of my door to go up to the town, and took my seat in the public
place, [8] The young men saw me, and went away, and the old men got up from
their seats; [9] The rulers kept quiet, and put their hands on their
mouths; [10] The chiefs kept back their words, and their tongues were
joined to the roofs of their mouths. [11] For when it came to their ears,
men said that I was truly happy; and when their eyes saw, they gave witness
to me; [12] For I was a saviour to the poor when he was crying for help, to
the child with no father, and to him who had no supporter. [13] The
blessing of him who was near to destruction came on me, and I put a song of
joy into the widow's heart. [14] I put on righteousness as my clothing, and
was full of it; right decisions were to me a robe and a head-dress. [15] I
was eyes to the blind, and feet to him who had no power of walking. [16] I
was a father to the poor, searching out the cause of him who was strange to
me. [17] By me the great teeth of the evil-doer were broken, and I made him
give up what he had violently taken away. [18] Then I said, I will come to
my end with my children round me, my days will be as the sand in number;
[19] My root will be open to the waters, and the night mist will be on my
branches, [20] My glory will be ever new, and my bow will be readily bent
in my hand. [21] Men gave ear to me, waiting and keeping quiet for my
suggestions. [22] After I had said what was in my mind, they were quiet and
let my words go deep into their hearts; [23] They were waiting for me as
for the rain, opening their mouths wide as for the spring rains. [24] I was
laughing at them when they had no hope, and the light of my face was never
clouded by their fear. [25] I took my place as a chief, guiding them on
their way, and I was as a king among his army. ...