Job 29:4-16

4as I was in my prime, when the friendship of God was upon my tent,

5when the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were all around me,

6when my steps were washed with butter, and the rock poured out for me streams of oil!

7When I went out to the gate of the city, when I prepared my seat in the square,

8the young men saw me and withdrew, and the aged rose and stood;

9the princes refrained from talking and laid their hand on their mouth;

10the voice of the nobles was hushed, and their tongue stuck to the roof of their mouth.

11When the ear heard, it called me blessed, and when the eye saw, it approved,

12because I delivered the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to help him.

13The blessing of him who was about to perish came upon me, and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.

14I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was 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 searched out the cause of him whom I did not know.