Job 29 FBV
1. Job went on speaking.
2. “I wish I was back in the old days when God looked after me!
3. His light shone above me and lit my way through the darkness.
4. When I was young and strong, God was my friend and spoke to me in my home.
5. The Almighty was still with me and I was surrounded with my children.
6. My herds produced much milk, and oil flowed freely from my olive presses.
7. I went out to the city gate and took my seat in the public square.
8. The young men saw me and moved out of the way; the elders would stand up for me.
9. The leaders remained silent and covered their mouths with their hands.
10. The voices of the officials were hushed; they held their tongues in my presence.
11. Everyone who listened to me praised me; whoever saw me commended me,
12. because I gave to the poor who called out to me and the orphans who had no one to help them.
13. Those who were about to die blessed me; I made the widow sing for joy.
14. Being true and acting right were what I wore for clothing.
15. I was like eyes for the blind and feet for the lame.
16. I was like a father to the poor, and I defended the rights of strangers.
17. I broke the jaw of the wicked and made them drop their prey from their teeth.
18. I thought I would die at home, after many years.
19. Like a tree my roots spread out to the water; the dew rests on my branches overnight.
20. Fresh honors were always being given to me; my strength was renewed like an unfailing bow.
21. People listened carefully to what I had to say; they kept quiet as they listened to my advice.
22. Once I had spoken they had nothing else to say; what I said was enough.
23. They waited for me like people waiting for rain; their mouths wide open for the spring rain.
24. When I smiled at them they could hardly believe it; my approval meant all the world to them.
25. I decided the way forward as their leader, living like a king among his soldiers, and when they were sad I comforted them.