Job 29:4-16

4If only I were in the prime of my life ⌞again⌟, when God was an adviser in my tent.

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

6my steps were bathed in buttermilk, and the rocks poured streams of olive oil on me.

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

8young men saw me and kept out of sight. Old men stood up straight out of respect ⌞for me⌟.

9Princes held back ⌞their⌟ words and put their hands over their mouths.

10The voices of nobles were hushed, and their tongues stuck to the roofs of their mouths.

11“⌞Any⌟ ears that heard me blessed me. ⌞Any⌟ eyes that saw me spoke well of me,

12because I rescued the poor who called ⌞for help⌟ and the orphans who had no one to help them.

13I received a blessing from the dying. I made the widow’s heart sing for joy.

14I put on righteousness, and it was my clothing. I practiced justice, and it was my robe and my turban.

15I was eyes for the blind person. I was feet for the lame person.

16I was father to the needy. I carefully investigated cases brought by strangers.