When my steps [through rich pastures] were washed with butter and cream [from my livestock],
And the rock poured out for me streams of oil [from my olive groves].

“When I went out to the gate of the city,
When I took my seat [as a city father] in the square,

Because I rescued the poor who cried for help,
And the orphan who had no helper.

And Job again took up his discussion and said,

“Oh, that I were as in the months of old,
As in the days when God watched over me,

“I put on righteousness, and it clothed me;
My justice was like a robe and a turban!

“I was a father to the needy;
I investigated the case I did not know [and assured justice].

“Then I said, ‘I shall die in my nest,
And I shall multiply my days as the sand.

“For when an ear heard [my name mentioned], it called me happy and fortunate;
And when an eye saw [me], it testified for me [approvingly],

“The blessing of him who was about to perish came upon me,
And I made the widow’s heart sing for joy.

“I was eyes to the blind
And I was feet to the lame.

When His lamp shone upon my head
And by His light I walked through darkness;

As I was in the prime of my days,
When the friendship and counsel of God were over my tent,

‘My glory and honor are fresh in me [being constantly renewed],
And my bow gains [ever] new strength in my hand.’

“They listened to me and waited
And kept silent for my counsel.

“And I smashed the jaws of the wicked
And snatched the prey from his teeth.

“They waited for me [and for my words] as for the rain,
And they opened their mouths as for the spring rain.

“I chose a way for them and sat as chief,
And dwelt as a king among his soldiers,
As one who comforts mourners.

The princes stopped talking
And put their hands on their mouths;

“I smiled at them when they did not believe,
And they did not diminish the light of my face.

“After I spoke, they did not speak again,
And my speech dropped upon them [like a refreshing shower].

The voices of the nobles were hushed,
And their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths.

‘My root is spread out and open to the waters,
And the dew lies all night upon my branch.

The young men saw me and hid themselves,
The aged arose and stood [respectfully];

When the Almighty was still with me
And my boys were around me,