129 lines
2.2 KiB
Markdown
129 lines
2.2 KiB
Markdown
Job Speaks of His Former Blessings
|
|
|
|
# Chapter 29
|
|
1. Job continued speaking:
|
|
|
|
2. "I long for the years gone by
|
|
|
|
when God took care of me,
|
|
|
|
|
|
3. when he lit up the way before me
|
|
|
|
and I walked safely through the darkness.
|
|
|
|
|
|
4. When I was in my prime,
|
|
|
|
God's friendship was felt in my home.
|
|
|
|
|
|
5. The Almighty was still with me,
|
|
|
|
and my children were around me.
|
|
|
|
|
|
6. My steps were awash in cream,
|
|
|
|
and the rocks gushed olive oil for me.
|
|
|
|
|
|
7. "Those were the days when I went to the city gate
|
|
|
|
and took my place among the honored leaders.
|
|
|
|
|
|
8. The young stepped aside when they saw me,
|
|
|
|
and even the aged rose in respect at my coming.
|
|
|
|
|
|
9. The princes stood in silence
|
|
|
|
and put their hands over their mouths.
|
|
|
|
|
|
10. The highest officials of the city stood quietly,
|
|
|
|
holding their tongues in respect.
|
|
|
|
|
|
11. "All who heard me praised me.
|
|
|
|
All who saw me spoke well of me.
|
|
|
|
|
|
12. For I assisted the poor in their need
|
|
|
|
and the orphans who required help.
|
|
|
|
|
|
13. I helped those without hope, and they blessed me.
|
|
|
|
And I caused the widows' hearts to sing for joy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
14. Everything I did was honest.
|
|
|
|
Righteousness covered me like a robe,
|
|
|
|
and I wore justice like a turban.
|
|
|
|
|
|
15. I served as eyes for the blind
|
|
|
|
and feet for the lame.
|
|
|
|
|
|
16. I was a father to the poor
|
|
|
|
and assisted strangers who needed help.
|
|
|
|
|
|
17. I broke the jaws of godless oppressors
|
|
|
|
and plucked their victims from their teeth.
|
|
|
|
|
|
18. "I thought, 'Surely I will die surrounded by my family
|
|
after a long, good life.
|
|
|
|
19. For I am like a tree whose roots reach the water,
|
|
|
|
whose branches are refreshed with the dew.
|
|
|
|
|
|
20. New honors are constantly bestowed on me,
|
|
|
|
and my strength is continually renewed.'
|
|
|
|
|
|
21. "Everyone listened to my advice.
|
|
|
|
They were silent as they waited for me to speak.
|
|
|
|
|
|
22. And after I spoke, they had nothing to add,
|
|
|
|
for my counsel satisfied them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
23. They longed for me to speak as people long for rain.
|
|
|
|
They drank my words like a refreshing spring rain.
|
|
|
|
|
|
24. When they were discouraged, I smiled at them.
|
|
|
|
My look of approval was precious to them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
25. Like a chief, I told them what to do.
|
|
|
|
I lived like a king among his troops
|
|
|
|
and comforted those who mourned.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|