Job 29
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Holman Christian Standard BibleEnglish Standard Version
1Job continued his discourse, saying: 1And Job again took up his discourse, and said:
2If only I could be as in months gone by, in the days when God watched over me, 2“Oh, that I were as in the months of old, as in the days when God watched over me,
3when His lamp shone above my head, and I walked through darkness by His light! 3when his lamp shone upon my head, and by his light I walked through darkness,
4I would be as I was in the days of my youth when God's friendship rested on my tent, 4as I was in my prime, when the friendship of God was upon my tent,
5when the Almighty was still with me and my children were around me, 5when the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were all around me,
6when my feet were bathed in cream and the rock poured out streams of oil for me! 6when my steps were washed with butter, and the rock poured out for me streams of oil!
7When I went out to the city gate and took my seat in the town square, 7When I went out to the gate of the city, when I prepared my seat in the square,
8the young men saw me and withdrew, while older men stood to their feet. 8the young men saw me and withdrew, and the aged rose and stood;
9City officials stopped talking and covered their mouths with their hands. 9the princes refrained from talking and laid their hand on their mouth;
10The noblemen's voices were hushed, and their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths. 10the voice of the nobles was hushed, and their tongue stuck to the roof of their mouth.
11When they heard me, they blessed me, and when they saw me, they spoke well of me. 11When the ear heard, it called me blessed, and when the eye saw, it approved,
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 cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to help him.
13The dying man blessed me, and I made the widow's heart rejoice. 13The blessing of him who was about to perish came upon me, and I caused the widow’s heart to 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, and it clothed me; my justice was like a robe and a turban.
15I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. 15I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame.
16I was a father to the needy, and I examined the case of the stranger. 16I was a father to the needy, and I searched out the cause of him whom I did not know.
17I shattered the fangs of the unjust and snatched the prey from his teeth. 17I broke the fangs of the unrighteous and made him drop his prey from his teeth.
18So I thought: I will die in my own nest and multiply my days as the sand. 18Then I thought, ‘I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand,
19My roots will have access to water, and the dew will rest on my branches all night. 19my roots spread out to the waters, with the dew all night on my branches,
20My strength will be refreshed within me, and my bow will be renewed in my hand. 20my glory fresh with me, and my bow ever new in my hand.’
21Men listened to me with expectation, waiting silently for my advice. 21“Men listened to me and waited and kept 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 did not speak again, and my word dropped upon them.
23They waited for me as for the rain and opened their mouths as for spring showers. 23They waited for me as for the rain, and they opened their mouths as for the spring rain.
24If I smiled at them, they couldn't believe it; they were thrilled at the light of my countenance. 24I smiled on them when they had no confidence, and the light of my face they did not cast down.
25I directed their course and presided as chief. I lived as a king among his troops, like one who comforts those who mourn. 25I chose their way and sat as chief, and I lived like a king among his troops, like one who comforts mourners.
Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.
Job 28
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