Job 29

HCSB

Job 29

Job’s Final Claim of Innocence

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1} Job continued his discourse, saying:

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If only I could be as in months gone by,
in the days when God watched over me,

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when His lamp shone above my head,
and I walked through darkness by His light!^(A)

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I would be as I was in the days of my youth
when God’s friendship^(B) rested on my tent,

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when the Almighty was still with me
and my children were around me,

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when my feet were bathed in cream
and the rock^(C) poured out streams of oil for me!

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When I went out to the city gate
and took my seat in the town square,

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the young men saw me and withdrew,
while older men stood to their feet.

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City officials stopped talking
and covered their mouths with their hands.^(D)

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The noblemen’s voices were hushed,
and their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths.

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When they heard me, they blessed me,
and when they saw me, they spoke well of me.^(a)

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For I rescued the poor man who cried out for help,
and the fatherless child who had no one to support him.^(E)

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The dying man blessed me,
and I made the widow’s heart rejoice.

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I clothed myself in righteousness,^(F)
and it enveloped me;
my just decisions were like a robe and a turban.

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I was eyes to the blind
and feet to the lame.^(G)

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I was a father to the needy,
and I examined the case of the stranger.

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I shattered the fangs of the unjust^(H)
and snatched the prey from his teeth.

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So I thought: I will die in my own nest
and multiply my days as the sand.^(b)

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My roots will have access to water,^(I)
and the dew will rest on my branches all night.

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My strength will be refreshed within me,
and my bow will be renewed in my hand.^(J)

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Men listened to me with expectation,
waiting silently for my advice.

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After a word from me they did not speak again;
my speech settled on them like dew.

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They waited for me as for the rain
and opened their mouths as for spring showers.

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If I smiled at them, they couldn’t believe it;
they were thrilled at^(c) the light of my countenance.

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I directed their course and presided as chief.
I lived as a king among his troops,
like one who comforts those who mourn.

Footnotes:

a. Job 29:11: Lit When an ear heard, it called me blessed, and when an eye saw, it testified for me

b. Job 29:18: Or as the phoenix

c. Job 29:24: Lit they did not cast down

Cross references:

A. Job 29:3: Job 11:17; Psalm 18:28; Psalm 119:105

B. Job 29:4: Psalm 25:14; Psalm 55:14; Proverbs 3:32

C. Job 29:6: Deuteronomy 32:13; Job 20:17; Psalm 81:16

D. Job 29:9: Judges 18:19; Job 21:5; Job 40:4

E. Job 29:12: Psalm 10:14; Psalm 72:12; Proverbs 21:13

F. Job 29:14: Psalm 132:9; Isaiah 59:17; Ephesians 6:14

G. Job 29:15: Isaiah 35:6; Isaiah 42:7; Isaiah 42:16; Matthew 11:5

H. Job 29:17: Job 4:10; Psalm 3:7; Psalm 58:6

I. Job 29:19: Job 14:9; Psalm 1:3; Ezekiel 31:7

J. Job 29:20: Genesis 49:24; Isaiah 40:31; Isaiah 41:1