1 Job went on speaking.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.2 “I wish I was back in the old days when God looked after me!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.”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.