| New Living Translation | New Living Translation |
| 1Job continued speaking: | 1Job continued speaking: |
| 2“I long for the years gone by when God took care of me, | 2“I long for the years gone by when God took care of me, |
| 3when he lit up the way before me and I walked safely through the darkness. | 3when he lit up the way before me and I walked safely through the darkness. |
| 4When I was in my prime, God’s friendship was felt in my home. | 4When I was in my prime, God’s friendship was felt in my home. |
| 5The Almighty was still with me, and my children were around me. | 5The Almighty was still with me, and my children were around me. |
| 6My steps were awash in cream, and the rocks gushed olive oil for me. | 6My steps were awash in cream, and the rocks gushed olive oil for me. |
| 7“Those were the days when I went to the city gate and took my place among the honored leaders. | 7“Those were the days when I went to the city gate and took my place among the honored leaders. |
| 8The young stepped aside when they saw me, and even the aged rose in respect at my coming. | 8The young stepped aside when they saw me, and even the aged rose in respect at my coming. |
| 9The princes stood in silence and put their hands over their mouths. | 9The princes stood in silence and put their hands over their mouths. |
| 10The highest officials of the city stood quietly, holding their tongues in respect. | 10The highest officials of the city stood quietly, holding their tongues in respect. |
| 11“All who heard me praised me. All who saw me spoke well of me. | 11“All who heard me praised me. All who saw me spoke well of me. |
| 12For I assisted the poor in their need and the orphans who required help. | 12For I assisted the poor in their need and the orphans who required help. |
| 13I helped those without hope, and they blessed me. And I caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy. | 13I helped those without hope, and they blessed me. And I caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy. |
| 14Everything I did was honest. Righteousness covered me like a robe, and I wore justice like 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 poor and assisted strangers who needed help. | 16I was a father to the poor and assisted strangers who needed help. |
| 17I broke the jaws of godless oppressors and plucked their victims from their teeth. | 17I broke the jaws of godless oppressors and plucked their victims from their teeth. |
| 18“I thought, ‘Surely I will die surrounded by my family after a long, good life. | 18“I thought, ‘Surely I will die surrounded by my family after a long, good life. |
| 19For I am like a tree whose roots reach the water, whose branches are refreshed with the dew. | 19For I am like a tree whose roots reach the water, whose branches are refreshed with the dew. |
| 20New honors are constantly bestowed on me, and my strength is continually renewed.’ | 20New honors are constantly bestowed on me, and my strength is continually renewed.’ |
| 21“Everyone listened to my advice. They were silent as they waited for me to speak. | 21“Everyone listened to my advice. They were silent as they waited for me to speak. |
| 22And after I spoke, they had nothing to add, for my counsel satisfied them. | 22And after I spoke, they had nothing to add, for my counsel satisfied them. |
| 23They longed for me to speak as people long for rain. They drank my words like a refreshing spring rain. | 23They longed for me to speak as people long for rain. They drank my words like a refreshing spring rain. |
| 24When they were discouraged, I smiled at them. My look of approval was precious to them. | 24When they were discouraged, I smiled at them. My look of approval was precious to them. |
| 25Like a chief, I told them what to do. I lived like a king among his troops and comforted those who mourned. | 25Like a chief, I told them what to do. I lived like a king among his troops and comforted those who mourned. |
| 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. | 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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