Job 29
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Holman Christian Standard BibleInternational Standard Version
1Job continued his discourse, saying: 1Then Job continued with his discourse:
2If only I could be as in months gone by, in the days when God watched over me, 2"I wish I could go back to how things were a few months ago; when God used to watch over me,
3when His lamp shone above my head, and I walked through darkness by His light! 3when his lamp used to shine over my head, so I could walk through the dark,
4I would be as I was in the days of my youth when God's friendship rested on my tent, 4like when I was in my prime and God trusted me with his secrets!
5when the Almighty was still with me and my children were around me, 5"The Almighty was still with me back then, and my children were still around me.
6when my feet were bathed in cream and the rock poured out streams of oil for me! 6I was successful wherever I went, and even the rocks poured out streams of olive oil for me."
7When I went out to the city gate and took my seat in the town square, 7"Whenever I went out to the city gate, a seat had been reserved for me in the plaza.
8the young men saw me and withdrew, while older men stood to their feet. 8The young men would see me and withdraw, and the aged would rise and stand.
9City officials stopped talking and covered their mouths with their hands. 9Nobles would refrain from speaking, covering their mouths with their hands.
10The noblemen's voices were hushed, and their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths. 10The voices of the commanders-in-chief were hushed, and their tongues would cling to the roofs of their mouths."
11When they heard me, they blessed me, and when they saw me, they spoke well of me. 11"When people heard me speak, they blessed me; when people saw me, they approved me,
12For I rescued the poor man who cried out for help, and the fatherless child who had no one to support him. 12because I delivered the poor who were crying for help, along with orphans who had no one to help them.
13The dying man blessed me, and I made the widow's heart rejoice. 13Those who were about to die blessed me, and I made widows sing for joy.
14I clothed myself in righteousness, and it enveloped me; my just decisions were like a robe and a turban. 14I put on righteousness like clothing; my just decisions were like a robe and a turban.
15I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. 15I served as eyes for the blind and feet for the lame.
16I was a father to the needy, and I examined the case of the stranger. 16I was a father to the needy; I diligently inquired into the case of those I didn't know.
17I shattered the fangs of the unjust and snatched the prey from his teeth. 17I broke the fangs of the wicked, and made him drop the prey."
18So I thought: I will die in my own nest and multiply my days as the sand. 18"I used to say: 'I will die in my home. I'm going to live as many days as there are grains of sand on the shore.
19My roots will have access to water, and the dew will rest on my branches all night. 19My roots have spread out and have found water, and dew settles at night on my branches.
20My strength will be refreshed within me, and my bow will be renewed in my hand. 20My glory renews for me and my bow is as good as new in my hand.'
21Men listened to me with expectation, waiting silently for my advice. 21"They listened and waited for me, as they remained in silence for my counsel.
22After a word from me they did not speak again; my speech settled on them like dew. 22After I spoke, they had nothing to say, when what I said hit them.
23They waited for me as for the rain and opened their mouths as for spring showers. 23They waited for me as one waits for rain, as one opens his mouth to drink in a spring rain shower.
24If I smiled at them, they couldn't believe it; they were thrilled at the light of my countenance. 24I smiled at them when they had no confidence, and no one could discourage me.
25I directed their course and presided as chief. I lived as a king among his troops, like one who comforts those who mourn. 25I set an example of the way to live, as a leader would; I lived like a king among his army; like one who comforts mourners."
Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
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Job 28
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