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11 “All who heard me praised me.
    All who saw me spoke well of me.
12 For I assisted the poor in their need
    and the orphans who required help.
13 I helped those without hope, and they blessed me.
    And I caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy.
14 Everything I did was honest.
    Righteousness covered me like a robe,
    and I wore justice like a turban.
15 I served as eyes for the blind
    and feet for the lame.
16 I was a father to the poor
    and assisted strangers who needed help.
17 I 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.[a]
19 For I am like a tree whose roots reach the water,
    whose branches are refreshed with the dew.
20 New honors are constantly bestowed on me,
    and my strength is continually renewed.’

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Footnotes

  1. 29:18 Hebrew after I have counted my days like sand.

11 Whoever heard me spoke well of me,
    and those who saw me commended me,(A)
12 because I rescued the poor(B) who cried for help,
    and the fatherless(C) who had none to assist them.(D)
13 The one who was dying blessed me;(E)
    I made the widow’s(F) heart sing.
14 I put on righteousness(G) as my clothing;
    justice was my robe and my turban.(H)
15 I was eyes(I) to the blind
    and feet to the lame.(J)
16 I was a father to the needy;(K)
    I took up the case(L) of the stranger.(M)
17 I broke the fangs of the wicked
    and snatched the victims(N) from their teeth.(O)

18 “I thought, ‘I will die in my own house,
    my days as numerous as the grains of sand.(P)
19 My roots will reach to the water,(Q)
    and the dew will lie all night on my branches.(R)
20 My glory will not fade;(S)
    the bow(T) will be ever new in my hand.’(U)

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