Job 29:2-25 - Compare All Versions

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“How I long for the months gone by, for the days when God watched over me, when his lamp shone on my head and by his light I walked through darkness! Oh, for the days when I was in my prime, when God’s intimate friendship blessed my house, when the Almighty was still with me and my children were around me, when my path was drenched with cream and the rock poured out for me streams of olive oil. “When I went to the gate of the city and took my seat in the public square, the young men saw me and stepped aside and the old men rose to their feet; the chief men refrained from speaking and covered their mouths with their hands; the voices of the nobles were hushed, and their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths. Whoever heard me spoke well of me, and those who saw me commended me, because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist them. The one who was dying blessed me; I made the widow’s heart sing. I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and my turban. I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger. I broke the fangs of the wicked and snatched the victims from their teeth. “I thought, ‘I will die in my own house, my days as numerous as the grains of sand. My roots will reach to the water, and the dew will lie all night on my branches. My glory will not fade; the bow will be ever new in my hand.’ “People listened to me expectantly, waiting in silence for my counsel. After I had spoken, they spoke no more; my words fell gently on their ears. They waited for me as for showers and drank in my words as the spring rain. When I smiled at them, they scarcely believed it; the light of my face was precious to them. I chose the way for them and sat as their chief; I dwelt as a king among his troops; I was like one who comforts mourners.

“Oh, that I were as in the months of old, as in the days when God watched over me, when his lamp shone upon my head, and by his light I walked through darkness, as I was in my prime, when the friendship of God was upon my tent, when the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were all around me, when my steps were washed with butter, and the rock poured out for me streams of oil! When I went out to the gate of the city, when I prepared my seat in the square, the young men saw me and withdrew, and the aged rose and stood; the princes refrained from talking and laid their hand on their mouth; the voice of the nobles was hushed, and their tongue stuck to the roof of their mouth. When the ear heard, it called me blessed, and when the eye saw, it approved, because I delivered the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to help him. The blessing of him who was about to perish came upon me, and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy. I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was like a robe and a turban. I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. I was a father to the needy, and I searched out the cause of him whom I did not know. I broke the fangs of the unrighteous and made him drop his prey from his teeth. Then I thought, ‘I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand, my roots spread out to the waters, with the dew all night on my branches, my glory fresh with me, and my bow ever new in my hand.’ “Men listened to me and waited and kept silence for my counsel. After I spoke they did not speak again, and my word dropped upon them. They waited for me as for the rain, and they opened their mouths as for the spring rain. I smiled on them when they had no confidence, and the light of my face they did not cast down. I chose their way and sat as chief, and I lived like a king among his troops, like one who comforts mourners.

“I long for the years gone by when God took care of me, when he lit up the way before me and I walked safely through the darkness. When I was in my prime, God’s friendship was felt in my home. The Almighty was still with me, and my children were around me. My steps were awash in cream, and the rocks gushed olive oil for me. “Those were the days when I went to the city gate and took my place among the honored leaders. The young stepped aside when they saw me, and even the aged rose in respect at my coming. The princes stood in silence and put their hands over their mouths. The highest officials of the city stood quietly, holding their tongues in respect. “All who heard me praised me. All who saw me spoke well of me. For I assisted the poor in their need and the orphans who required help. I helped those without hope, and they blessed me. And I caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy. Everything I did was honest. Righteousness covered me like a robe, and I wore justice like a turban. I served as eyes for the blind and feet for the lame. I was a father to the poor and assisted strangers who needed help. I broke the jaws of godless oppressors and plucked their victims from their teeth. “I thought, ‘Surely I will die surrounded by my family after a long, good life. For I am like a tree whose roots reach the water, whose branches are refreshed with the dew. New honors are constantly bestowed on me, and my strength is continually renewed.’ “Everyone listened to my advice. They were silent as they waited for me to speak. And after I spoke, they had nothing to add, for my counsel satisfied them. They longed for me to speak as people long for rain. They drank my words like a refreshing spring rain. When they were discouraged, I smiled at them. My look of approval was precious to them. Like a chief, I told them what to do. I lived like a king among his troops and comforted those who mourned.

If only I could be as in months gone by, in the days when God watched over me, when his lamp shone above my head, and I walked through darkness by his light!  I would be as I was in the days of my youth when God’s friendship  rested on my tent, when the Almighty was still with me and my children were around me, when my feet were bathed in curds and the rock  poured out streams of oil for me! When I went out to the city gate  and took my seat in the town square, the young men saw me and withdrew, while older men stood to their feet. City officials stopped talking and covered their mouths with their hands.  The noblemen’s voices were hushed, and their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths.  When they heard me, they blessed me, and when they saw me, they spoke well of me.  For I rescued the poor who cried out for help, and the fatherless child who had no one to support him.  The dying blessed me, and I made the widow’s heart rejoice. I clothed myself in righteousness,  and it enveloped me; my just decisions were like a robe and a turban. I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame.  I was a father to the needy, and I examined the case of the stranger. I shattered the fangs of the unjust  and snatched the prey from his teeth. So I thought, “I will die in my own nest and multiply my days as the sand.  My roots will have access to water,  and the dew will rest on my branches all night. My whole being will be refreshed within me, and my bow will be renewed in my hand.”  Men listened to me with expectation, waiting silently for my advice. After a word from me they did not speak again; my speech settled on them like dew.  They waited for me as for the rain and opened their mouths as for spring showers. If I smiled at them, they couldn’t believe it; they were thrilled at   the light of my countenance. I directed their course and presided as chief. I lived as a king among his troops, like one who comforts those who mourn.

Oh that I were as in months past, As in the days when God preserved me; When his candle shined upon my head, And when by his light I walked through darkness; As I was in the days of my youth, When the secret of God was upon my tabernacle; When the Almighty was yet with me, When my children were about me; When I washed my steps with butter, And the rock poured me out rivers of oil; When I went out to the gate through the city, When I prepared my seat in the street! The young men saw me, and hid themselves: And the aged arose, and stood up. The princes refrained talking, And laid their hand on their mouth. The nobles held their peace, And their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth. When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; And when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me: Because I delivered the poor that cried, And the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: And I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: My judgment was as a robe and a diadem. I was eyes to the blind, And feet was I to the lame. I was a father to the poor: And the cause which I knew not I searched out. And I brake the jaws of the wicked, And plucked the spoil out of his teeth. Then I said, I shall die in my nest, And I shall multiply my days as the sand. My root was spread out by the waters, And the dew lay all night upon my branch. My glory was fresh in me, And my bow was renewed in my hand. Unto me men gave ear, and waited, And kept silence at my counsel. After my words they spake not again; And my speech dropped upon them. And they waited for me as for the rain; And they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain. If I laughed on them, they believed it not; And the light of my countenance they cast not down. I chose out their way, and sat chief, And dwelt as a king in the army, As one that comforteth the mourners.

“Oh, that I were as in months past, As in the days when God watched over me; When His lamp shone upon my head, And when by His light I walked through darkness; Just as I was in the days of my prime, When the friendly counsel of God was over my tent; When the Almighty was yet with me, When my children were around me; When my steps were bathed with cream, And the rock poured out rivers of oil for me! “When I went out to the gate by the city, When I took my seat in the open square, The young men saw me and hid, And the aged arose and stood; The princes refrained from talking, And put their hand on their mouth; The voice of nobles was hushed, And their tongue stuck to the roof of their mouth. When the ear heard, then it blessed me, And when the eye saw, then it approved me; Because I delivered the poor who cried out, The fatherless and the one who had no helper. The blessing of a perishing man came upon me, And I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy. I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; My justice was like a robe and a turban. I was eyes to the blind, And I was feet to the lame. I was a father to the poor, And I searched out the case that I did not know. I broke the fangs of the wicked, And plucked the victim from his teeth. “Then I said, ‘I shall die in my nest, And multiply my days as the sand. My root is spread out to the waters, And the dew lies all night on my branch. My glory is fresh within me, And my bow is renewed in my hand.’ “Men listened to me and waited, And kept silence for my counsel. After my words they did not speak again, And my speech settled on them as dew. They waited for me as for the rain, And they opened their mouth wide as for the spring rain. If I mocked at them, they did not believe it, And the light of my countenance they did not cast down. I chose the way for them, and sat as chief; So I dwelt as a king in the army, As one who comforts mourners.

Job now resumed his response: “Oh, how I long for the good old days, when God took such very good care of me. He always held a lamp before me and I walked through the dark by its light. Oh, how I miss those golden years when God’s friendship graced my home, When the Mighty One was still by my side and my children were all around me, When everything was going my way, and nothing seemed too difficult. “When I walked downtown and sat with my friends in the public square, Young and old greeted me with respect; I was honored by everyone in town. When I spoke, everyone listened; they hung on my every word. People who knew me spoke well of me; my reputation went ahead of me. I was known for helping people in trouble and standing up for those who were down on their luck. The dying blessed me, and the bereaved were cheered by my visits. All my dealings with people were good. I was known for being fair to everyone I met. I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame, Father to the needy, and champion of abused aliens. I grabbed street thieves by the scruff of the neck and made them give back what they’d stolen. I thought, ‘I’ll die peacefully in my own bed, grateful for a long and full life, A life deep-rooted and well-watered, a life limber and dew-fresh, My soul soaked through with glory and my body robust until the day I die.’ “Men and women listened when I spoke, hung expectantly on my every word. After I spoke, they’d be quiet, taking it all in. They welcomed my counsel like spring rain, drinking it all in. When I smiled at them, they could hardly believe it; their faces lit up, their troubles took wing! I was their leader, establishing the mood and setting the pace by which they lived. Where I led, they followed.”

“Oh that I were as in months gone by, As in the days when God watched over me; When His lamp shone over my head, And by His light I walked through darkness; Just as I was in the days of my youth, When the protection of God was over my tent; When the Almighty was still with me, And my children were around me; When my steps were bathed in cream, And the rock poured out streams of oil for me! “When I went out to the gate of the city, When I took my seat in the public square, The young men saw me and hid themselves, And the old men arose and stood. “The leaders stopped talking And put their hands on their mouths; The voices of the prominent people were hushed, And their tongues stuck to their palates. “For when an ear heard, it called me blessed, And when an eye saw, it testified in support of me, Because I saved the poor who cried for help, And the orphan who had no helper. “The blessing of the one who was about to perish came upon me, And I made the widow’s heart sing for joy. “I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; My justice was like a robe and a headband. “I was eyes to those who were blind, And feet to those who could not walk. “I was a father to the poor, And I investigated the case which I did not know. “I broke the jaws of the wicked And rescued the prey from his teeth. “Then I thought, ‘I will die with my family, And I will multiply my days as the sand. ‘My root is spread out to the waters, And dew lies on my branch all night. ‘My glory is ever new with me, And my bow is renewed in my hand.’ ¶“To me they listened and waited, And they kept silent for my advice. “After my words they did not speak again, And my speech dropped on them. “They waited for me as for the rain, And opened their mouths as for the late rain. “I smiled at them when they did not believe, And they did not look at my kindness ungraciously. “I chose a way for them and sat as chief, And lived as a king among the troops, As one who comforted the mourners.

“Oh, that I were as in the months of old, As in the days when God watched over me, [Eccl 7:10] When His lamp shone upon my head And by His light I walked through darkness; As I was in the prime of my days, When the friendship and counsel of God were over my tent, When the Almighty was still with me And my boys were around me, When my steps [through rich pastures] were washed with butter and cream [from my livestock], And the rock poured out for me streams of oil [from my olive groves]. “When I went out to the gate of the city, When I took my seat [as a city father] in the square, The young men saw me and hid themselves, The aged arose and stood [respectfully]; The princes stopped talking And put their hands on their mouths; The voices of the nobles were hushed, And their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths. “For when an ear heard [my name mentioned], it called me happy and fortunate; And when an eye saw [me], it testified for me [approvingly], Because I rescued the poor who cried for help, And the orphan who had no helper. “The blessing of him who was about to perish came upon me, And I made the widow’s heart sing for joy. “I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; My justice was like a robe and a turban! “I was eyes to the blind And I was feet to the lame. “I was a father to the needy; I investigated the case I did not know [and assured justice]. “And I smashed the jaws of the wicked And snatched the prey from his teeth. “Then I said, ‘I shall die in my nest, And I shall multiply my days as the sand. ‘My root is spread out and open to the waters, And the dew lies all night upon my branch. ‘My glory and honor are fresh in me [being constantly renewed], And my bow gains [ever] new strength in my hand.’ ¶“They listened to me and waited And kept silent for my counsel. “After I spoke, they did not speak again, And my speech dropped upon them [like a refreshing shower]. “They waited for me [and for my words] as for the rain, And they opened their mouths as for the spring rain. “I smiled at them when they did not believe, And they did not diminish the light of my face. “I chose a way for them and sat as chief, And dwelt as a king among his soldiers, As one who comforts mourners.

“O that I could be as I was in the months now gone, in the days when God watched over me, when he caused his lamp to shine upon my head, and by his light I walked through darkness; just as I was in my most productive time, when God’s intimate friendship was experienced in my tent, when the Almighty was still with me and my children were around me; when my steps were bathed with butter and the rock poured out for me streams of olive oil! When I went out to the city gate and secured my seat in the public square, the young men would see me and step aside, and the old men would get up and remain standing; the chief men refrained from talking and covered their mouths with their hands; the voices of the nobles fell silent, and their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths. “As soon as the ear heard these things, it blessed me, and when the eye saw them, it bore witness to me, for I rescued the poor who cried out for help, and the orphan who had no one to assist him; the blessing of the dying man descended on me, and I made the widow’s heart rejoice; I put on righteousness and it clothed me, my just dealing was like a robe and a turban; I was eyes for the blind and feet for the lame; I was a father to the needy, and I investigated the case of the person I did not know; I broke the fangs of the wicked, and made him drop his prey from his teeth. “Then I thought, ‘I will die in my own home, my days as numerous as the grains of sand. My roots reach the water, and the dew lies on my branches all night long. My glory will always be fresh in me, and my bow ever new in my hand.’ “People listened to me and waited silently; they kept silent for my advice. After I had spoken, they did not respond; my words fell on them drop by drop. They waited for me as people wait for the rain, and they opened their mouths as for the spring rains. If I smiled at them, they hardly believed it; and they did not cause the light of my face to darken. I chose the way for them and sat as their chief; I lived like a king among his troops; I was like one who comforts mourners.