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

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

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

Job continued his discourse, saying:

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

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

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

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

When they heard me, they blessed me,
and when they saw me, they spoke well of me.

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

I was eyes to the blind
and feet to the lame.

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

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

My strength will be refreshed within me,
and my bow will be renewed in my hand.

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

I shattered the fangs of the unjust
and snatched the prey from his teeth.

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

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

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City officials stopped talking
and covered their mouths with their hands.

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

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

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

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

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

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