Job 29:7-25
New Living Translation
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.
Footnotes
- 29:18 Hebrew after I have counted my days like sand.
Job 29:7-25
Legacy Standard Bible
7 When I went out to (A)the gate of the city,
When I [a]took my seat in the square,
8 The young men saw me and hid,
And the old men arose and stood.
9 The princes (B)stopped talking
And (C)put their hands on their mouths;
10 The voice of the nobles was (D)hidden away,
And their (E)tongue clung to their palate.
11 For (F)the ear heard, and it called me blessed,
And the eye saw, and it gave witness of me,
12 Because I provided escape for (G)the afflicted who cried for help,
And the (H)orphan who had no helper.
13 The blessing of the one (I)ready to perish came upon me,
And I made the (J)widow’s heart sing for joy.
14 I (K)clothed myself with righteousness, and it clothed me;
My justice was like a robe and a turban.
15 I was (L)eyes to the blind
And feet to the lame.
16 I was a father to (M)the needy,
And I searched out the case which I did not know.
17 I (N)broke the fangs of the unjust
And snatched the prey from his teeth.
18 Then I [b]said, ‘I will breathe my last [c]in my nest,
And I shall multiply my days as the sand.
19 My (O)root is spread out to the waters,
And (P)dew lies all night on my branch.
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 kept silent for my counsel.
22 After my words they did not (S)speak again,
And (T)my speech dropped on them.
23 They waited for me as for the rain,
And opened their mouth as for the [d]late rain.
24 I laughed with them as they could not believe it,
And the light of my face they did not cast down.
25 I chose a way for them and sat as (U)chief,
And dwelt as their head among the troops,
As one who (V)comforted the mourners.
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