Job 29

Job Remembers God’s Favor

1 Job kept going with his story.

2 “Oh, how I wish I could go back to the way it was, back in the days when God watched over me,

3 When His lamp shined on my head and His light guided me through the darkness.

4 When I was in my prime, God’s friendship was close, right in my tent.

5 The Almighty was with me, my kids were all around me.

6 My steps were drenched in cream, and the rock poured out streams of oil for me.”

Job’s Respect in the City

7 “When I went out to the city gate, took my seat in the public square,

8 Young men stepped aside when they saw me, and old men stood up out of respect.

9 Leaders shut their mouths, put their hands over their lips.

10 The voices of nobles went quiet, their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths.

11 Whoever heard me spoke well of me, and those who saw me gave me props.

12 Because I rescued the poor who cried out, the fatherless who had no helper.

13 The one about to perish blessed me, and I made the widow’s heart sing for joy.

14 I put on righteousness like clothing; justice was my robe and my crown.

15 I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame.

16 I was a father to the needy, and I checked out cases strangers brought to me.

17 I broke the jaws of the wicked, snatched their victims from their teeth.”

Job’s Former Confidence

18 “I thought, ‘I will die in my own house, my days as many as the sand.

19 My roots spread out to the water, dew stayed on my branches all night.

20 My glory stayed fresh, my bow strong in my hand.’

21 People listened to me in silence, waiting for my advice.

22 After I spoke, they had nothing to add; my words dropped like rain on them.

23 They waited for me like the rain, drank my words like spring showers.

24 When I smiled at them, they could not believe it; the light of my face brightened their spirits.

25 I chose their way, sat as their leader; I lived like a king among his troops, like one who comforts mourners.”