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Job went on speaking.
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“I wish I was back in the old days when God looked after me!
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His light shone above me and lit my way through the darkness.
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When I was young and strong, God was my friend and spoke to me in my home.
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The Almighty was still with me and I was surrounded with my children.
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My herds produced much milk,* and oil flowed freely from my olive presses.
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I went out to the city gate and took my seat in the public square.*
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The young men saw me and moved out of the way; the elders would stand up for me.*
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The leaders remained silent and covered their mouths with their hands.
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The voices of the officials were hushed; they held their tongues in my presence.
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Everyone who listened to me praised me; whoever saw me commended me,
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because I gave to the poor who called out to me and the orphans who had no one to help them.
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Those who were about to die blessed me; I made the widow sing for joy.
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Being true and acting right* were what I wore for clothing.
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I was like eyes for the blind and feet for the lame.
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I was like a father to the poor, and I defended the rights of strangers.
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I broke the jaw of the wicked and made them drop their prey from their teeth.
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I thought I would die at home, after many years.*
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Like a tree my roots spread out to the water; the dew rests on my branches overnight.
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Fresh honors were always being given to me; my strength was renewed like an unfailing bow.
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People listened carefully to what I had to say; they kept quiet as they listened to my advice.
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Once I had spoken they had nothing else to say; what I said was enough.*
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They waited for me like people waiting for rain; their mouths wide open for the spring rain.
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When I smiled at them they could hardly believe it; my approval meant all the world to them.*
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I decided the way forward as their leader, living like a king among his soldiers, and when they were sad I comforted them.”