| International Standard Version | New Living Translation |
| 1Then Job continued with his discourse: | 1Job continued speaking: |
| 2"I wish I could go back to how things were a few months ago; when God used to watch over me, | 2“I long for the years gone by when God took care of me, |
| 3when his lamp used to shine over my head, so I could walk through the dark, | 3when he lit up the way before me and I walked safely through the darkness. |
| 4like when I was in my prime and God trusted me with his secrets! | 4When I was in my prime, God’s friendship was felt in my home. |
| 5"The Almighty was still with me back then, and my children were still around me. | 5The Almighty was still with me, and my children were around me. |
| 6I was successful wherever I went, and even the rocks poured out streams of olive oil for me." | 6My steps were awash in cream, and the rocks gushed olive oil for me. |
| 7"Whenever I went out to the city gate, a seat had been reserved for me in the plaza. | 7“Those were the days when I went to the city gate and took my place among the honored leaders. |
| 8The young men would see me and withdraw, and the aged would rise and stand. | 8The young stepped aside when they saw me, and even the aged rose in respect at my coming. |
| 9Nobles would refrain from speaking, covering their mouths with their hands. | 9The princes stood in silence and put their hands over their mouths. |
| 10The voices of the commanders-in-chief were hushed, and their tongues would cling to the roofs of their mouths." | 10The highest officials of the city stood quietly, holding their tongues in respect. |
| 11"When people heard me speak, they blessed me; when people saw me, they approved me, | 11“All who heard me praised me. All who saw me spoke well of me. |
| 12because I delivered the poor who were crying for help, along with orphans who had no one to help them. | 12For I assisted the poor in their need and the orphans who required help. |
| 13Those who were about to die blessed me, and I made widows sing for joy. | 13I helped those without hope, and they blessed me. And I caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy. |
| 14I put on righteousness like clothing; my just decisions were like a robe and a turban. | 14Everything I did was honest. Righteousness covered me like a robe, and I wore justice like a turban. |
| 15I served as eyes for the blind and feet for the lame. | 15I served as eyes for the blind and feet for the lame. |
| 16I was a father to the needy; I diligently inquired into the case of those I didn't know. | 16I was a father to the poor and assisted strangers who needed help. |
| 17I broke the fangs of the wicked, and made him drop the prey." | 17I broke the jaws of godless oppressors and plucked their victims from their teeth. |
| 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. | 18“I thought, ‘Surely I will die surrounded by my family after a long, good life. |
| 19My roots have spread out and have found water, and dew settles at night on my branches. | 19For I am like a tree whose roots reach the water, whose branches are refreshed with the dew. |
| 20My glory renews for me and my bow is as good as new in my hand.' | 20New honors are constantly bestowed on me, and my strength is continually renewed.’ |
| 21"They listened and waited for me, as they remained in silence for my counsel. | 21“Everyone listened to my advice. They were silent as they waited for me to speak. |
| 22After I spoke, they had nothing to say, when what I said hit them. | 22And after I spoke, they had nothing to add, for my counsel satisfied them. |
| 23They waited for me as one waits for rain, as one opens his mouth to drink in a spring rain shower. | 23They longed for me to speak as people long for rain. They drank my words like a refreshing spring rain. |
| 24I smiled at them when they had no confidence, and no one could discourage me. | 24When they were discouraged, I smiled at them. My look of approval was precious to them. |
| 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." | 25Like a chief, I told them what to do. I lived like a king among his troops and comforted those who mourned. |
The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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