Job 29:4-16

4I would be as I was in the days of my youth when God’s friendship rested on my tent,

5when the Almighty was still with me and my children were around me,

6when my feet were bathed in curds and the rock poured out streams of oil for me!

7When I went out to the city gate and took my seat in the town square,

8the young men saw me and withdrew, while older men stood to their feet.

9City officials stopped talking and covered their mouths with their hands.

10The noblemen’s voices were hushed, and their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths.

11When they heard me, they blessed me, and when they saw me, they spoke well of me.

12For I rescued the poor who cried out for help, and the fatherless child who had no one to support him.

13The dying blessed me, and I made the widow’s heart rejoice.

14I clothed myself in righteousness, and it enveloped me; my just decisions were like a robe and a turban.

15I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame.

16I was a father to the needy, and I examined the case of the stranger.