[1] Job continued to speak. He said, [2] “How I long for the times when things were better! That’s when God watched over me. [3] The light of his lamp shone on me. I walked through darkness by his light. [4] Those were the best days of my life. That’s when God’s friendship blessed my house. [5] The Mighty One was still with me. My children were all around me. [6] The path in front of me was like sweet cream. It was as if the rock poured out olive oil for me. [7] “In those days I went to the city gate. I took my seat as a member of the council. [8] Young people who saw me stepped to one side. Old people stood up as I approached. [9] The leaders stopped speaking. They covered their mouths with their hands. [10] The voices of the nobles became quiet. Their tongues stuck to the roofs of their mouths. [11] Everyone who heard me said good things about me. Those who saw me honored me. [12] That’s because I saved poor people who cried out for help. I saved helpless children whose fathers had died. [13] Those who were dying gave me their blessing. I made the hearts of widows sing. [14] I put on a godly life as if it were my clothes. Fairness was my robe and my turban. [15] I was like eyes for those who were blind. I was like feet for those who couldn’t walk. [16] I was like a father to needy people. I stood up for strangers in court. [17] Sinners are like animals that have powerful teeth. But I took from their mouths the people they had caught. [18] “I thought, ‘I’ll die in my own house. The days of my life will be as many as the grains of sand. [19] My roots will reach down to the water. The dew will lie all night on my branches. [20] I will remain healthy and strong. My bow will stay as good as new in my hand.’ [21] “People wanted to hear what I had to say. They waited silently for the advice I gave them. [22] After I had spoken, they didn’t speak anymore. My words fell gently on their ears. [23] They waited for me just as they would wait for rain showers. They drank my words just as they would drink the spring rain. [24] When I smiled at them, they could hardly believe it. The light of my face lifted their spirits. [25] I chose the way they should go. I sat as their chief. I lived as a king lives among his troops. I was like someone who comforts those who are sad.
