1. Job took up his subject again:
2. Oh, that life was like it used to be,like days when God watched over me;
3. when his lamp shone on my head,I walked by his light in the dark;
4. when I was in my prime;when God’s counsel was in my tent;
5. when the Almighty was with me,my children around me;
6. when my steps were washed with creamand a rock poured out pools of oil for me.
7. When I went out to the city gate,took my seat in the square,
8. the young saw me and drew back;the old rose and stood;
9. princes restrained speech,put their hand on their mouth;
10. the voices of officials were hushed,their tongue stuck to their palate.
11. Indeed, the ear that heard blessed me;the eye that looked commended me,
12. because I rescued the weak who cried out,the orphans who lacked help.
13. The blessing of the perishing reached me;I made the widow’s heart sing;
14. I put on justice, and it clothed me,righteousness as my coat and turban;
15. I was eyes to the blind,feet to the lame.
16. I was a father to the needy;the case I didn’t know, I examined.
17. I shattered the fangs of the wicked,rescued prey from their teeth.
18. I thought, I’ll die in my nest,multiply days like sand,
19. my roots opening to water,dew lingering on my branches,
20. my honor newly with me,my bow ever successful in my hand.