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