11. Anyone who heard me spoke well of me,and those who saw me praised me,
12. because I saved the poor who called outand the orphan who had no one to help.
13. The dying person blessed me,and I made the widow’s heart sing.
14. I put on right living as if it were clothing;I wore fairness like a robe and a turban.
15. I was eyes for the blindand feet for the lame.
16. I was like a father to needy people,and I took the side of strangers who were in trouble.
17. I broke the fangs of evil peopleand snatched the captives from their teeth.
18. “I thought, ‘I will live for as many days as there are grains of sand,and I will die in my own house.
19. My roots will reach down to the water.The dew will lie on the branches all night.
20. New honors will come to me continually,and I will always have great strength.’
21. “People listened to me carefullyand waited quietly for my advice.
22. After I finished speaking, they spoke no more.My words fell very gently on their ears.
23. They waited for me as they would for rainand drank in my words like spring rain.
24. I smiled at them when they doubted,and my approval was important to them.