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