1Job again began to speak in a wise saying, and said,
2"I wish I could go back to how things were months ago, to the days when God watched over me;
3when his light shone on my head, and by his light I walked through darkness,
4when I was in the prime of my life, and God's friendship was with me in my home,
5when the Almighty was still with me, and my children were all around me,
6when my steps seemed to be washed with butter, and the rock poured out streams of olive oil for me.
7When I went out to the city gate, when I set up my seat in the public square,
8the young men saw me and hid themselves. The elderly rose and stood.
9The leaders stopped talking and put their hand over their mouth.
10The voice of the respected people was quiet, and their tongue stuck to the roof of their mouth.
11Because when people heard me, they blessed me; and when they saw me, they praised me:
12Because I rescued the poor who cried out for help, and the fatherless who had no one to assist him,
13the blessing of those who were about to die came upon me, and I made the widow's heart sing with joy.
14I dressed myself in righteousness, and it covered me. My justice was like a robe and a crown.
15I was eyes for the blind, and feet for the lame.
16I was a father to the needy. I investigated the case of anyone I didn't know.
17I broke the jaws of evil people and snatched their victims from their teeth.
18Then I thought, ‘I will die in my own home, living out all my days like grains of sand.’
19‘My roots reach down to the water, and dew settles on my branches all night.’
20‘My honor is always fresh, and I am always ready for battle.’
21“People listened to me, waited, and remained silent for my advice.
22After I spoke, they didn’t speak again. My words made an impact on them.
23They waited for me as they would for rain. They eagerly received my words like thirsty ground drinks spring rain.
24I smiled at them when they felt unsure, and they welcomed my approval.
25I chose their path and sat as their leader. I lived like a king among soldiers, like someone who comforts mourners.