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29:1  Job continued his discourse, saying:
29:2  If only I could be as in months gone by, in the days when God watched over me,
29:3  when his lamp shone above my head, and I walked through darkness by his light!
29:4  I would be as I was in the days of my youth when God’s friendship rested on my tent,
29:5  when the Almighty was still with me and my children were around me,
29:6  when my feet were bathed in curds and the rock poured out streams of oil for me!
29:7  When I went out to the city gate and took my seat in the town square,
29:8  the young men saw me and withdrew, while older men stood to their feet.
29:9  City officials stopped talking and covered their mouths with their hands.
29:10  The noblemen’s voices were hushed, and their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths.
29:11  When they heard me, they blessed me, and when they saw me, they spoke well of me.
29:12  For I rescued the poor who cried out for help, and the fatherless child who had no one to support him.
29:13  The dying blessed me, and I made the widow’s heart rejoice.
29:14  I clothed myself in righteousness, and it enveloped me; my just decisions were like a robe and a turban.
29:15  I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame.
29:16  I was a father to the needy, and I examined the case of the stranger.
29:17  I shattered the fangs of the unjust and snatched the prey from his teeth.
29:18  So I thought, “I will die in my own nest and multiply my days as the sand.
29:19  My roots will have access to water, and the dew will rest on my branches all night.
29:20  My whole being will be refreshed within me, and my bow will be renewed in my hand.”
29:21  Men listened to me with expectation, waiting silently for my advice.
29:22  After a word from me they did not speak again; my speech settled on them like dew.
29:23  They waited for me as for the rain and opened their mouths as for spring showers.
29:24  If I smiled at them, they couldn’t believe it; they were thrilled at the light of my countenance.
29:25  I directed their course and presided as chief. I lived as a king among his troops, like one who comforts those who mourn.