Job 29:7-25
New American Standard Bible
7 When I went out to (A)the gate of the city,
When I [a]took my seat in the public square,
8 The young men saw me and hid themselves,
And the old men arose and stood.
9 The leaders (B)stopped talking
And (C)put their hands on their mouths;
10 The voices of the prominent people were [b](D)hushed,
And their (E)tongues stuck to their palates.
11 For when (F)an ear heard, it called me blessed,
And when an eye saw, it testified in support of me,
12 Because I saved (G)the poor who cried for help,
And the (H)orphan who had no helper.
13 The blessing of the one who (I)was about to perish came upon me,
And I made the (J)widow’s heart sing for joy.
14 I (K)put on righteousness, and it clothed me;
My justice was like a robe and a headband.
15 I was (L)eyes to those who were blind,
And feet to those who [c]could not walk.
16 I was a father to (M)the poor,
And I investigated the case which I did not know.
17 I (N)broke the jaws of the wicked
And rescued the prey from his teeth.
18 Then I [d]thought, ‘I will die with my [e]family,
And I will multiply my days as the sand.
19 My (O)root is spread out to the waters,
And (P)dew lies on my branch all night.
20 My glory is ever new with me,
And my (Q)bow is renewed in my hand.’
21 “To me (R)they listened and waited,
And they kept silent for my advice.
22 After my words (S)they did not speak again,
And (T)my speech dropped on them.
23 They waited for me as for the rain,
And opened their mouths as for the late rain.
24 I smiled at them when they did not believe,
And they did not look at [f]my kindness ungraciously.
25 I chose a way for them and sat as (U)chief,
And lived as a king among the troops,
As one who (V)comforted the mourners.
Job 29:7-25
Holman Christian Standard Bible
7 When I went out to the city gate
and took my seat in the town square,
8 the young men saw me and withdrew,
while older men stood to their feet.
9 City officials stopped talking
and covered their mouths with their hands.(A)
10 The noblemen’s voices were hushed,
and their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths.
11 When they heard me, they blessed me,
and when they saw me, they spoke well of me.[a]
12 For I rescued the poor man who cried out for help,
and the fatherless child who had no one to support him.(B)
13 The dying man blessed me,
and I made the widow’s heart rejoice.
14 I clothed myself in righteousness,(C)
and it enveloped me;
my just decisions were like a robe and a turban.
15 I was eyes to the blind
and feet to the lame.(D)
16 I was a father to the needy,
and I examined the case of the stranger.
17 I shattered the fangs of the unjust(E)
and snatched the prey from his teeth.
18 So I thought: I will die in my own nest
and multiply my days as the sand.[b]
19 My roots will have access to water,(F)
and the dew will rest on my branches all night.
20 My strength will be refreshed within me,
and my bow will be renewed in my hand.(G)
21 Men listened to me with expectation,
waiting silently for my advice.
22 After a word from me they did not speak again;
my speech settled on them like dew.
23 They waited for me as for the rain
and opened their mouths as for spring showers.
24 If I smiled at them, they couldn’t believe it;
they were thrilled at[c] the light of my countenance.
25 I directed their course and presided as chief.
I lived as a king among his troops,
like one who comforts those who mourn.
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