² “I long for the years gone by
    when God took care of me,
³ when he lit up the way before me
    and I walked safely through the darkness.
⁴ When I was in my prime,
    God’s friendship was felt in my home.
⁵ The Almighty was still with me,
    and my children were around me.
⁶ My 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.
⁸ The young stepped aside when they saw me,
    and even the aged rose in respect at my coming.
⁹ The princes stood in silence
    and put their hands over their mouths.
¹⁰ The 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.
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.’

²¹ “Everyone listened to my advice.
    They were silent as they waited for me to speak.
²² And after I spoke, they had nothing to add,
    for my counsel satisfied them.
²³ They longed for me to speak as people long for rain.
    They drank my words like a refreshing spring rain.
²⁴ When they were discouraged, I smiled at them.
    My look of approval was precious to them.
²⁵ Like a chief, I told them what to do.
    I lived like a king among his troops
    and comforted those who mourned.