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29:1  Job continued to speak:
29:2  “I wish my life could be the same as it was a few months ago, when God watched over me and cared for me.
29:3  God’s light shined above me, so I could walk through the darkness.
29:4  I wish for the days when I was successful, when I enjoyed God’s friendship and blessing in my home.
29:5  God All-Powerful was still with me then, and my children were all around me.
29:6  Life was so good that I washed my feet in cream and had plenty of the finest oils.
29:7  “Those were the days when I went to the city gate and sat in the public meeting of the elders.
29:8  When the young men saw me coming, they stepped out of my way. And the old men stood up to show they respected me.
29:9  The leaders of the people stopped talking and put their hands over their mouths.
29:10  Even the most important leaders were quiet, as if their tongues were stuck to the roof of their mouths.
29:11  All who heard me said good things about me. Those who saw what I did praised me,
29:12  because I helped the poor when they cried out. I helped the orphans who had no one to care for them.
29:13  People who were dying asked God to bless me. My help brought joy to widows in need.
29:14  Right living was my clothing. Fairness was my robe and turban.
29:15  I was like eyes for the blind, like feet for the crippled.
29:16  I was like a father to the poor. I helped people I didn’t even know win their case in court.
29:17  I stopped evil people from abusing their power and saved innocent people from them.
29:18  “I always thought I would live a long life, growing old with my family around me.
29:19  I was like a healthy plant with roots that have plenty of water and branches that are wet with dew.
29:20  I thought each new day would bring more honor and be full of new possibilities.
29:21  “In the past people listened to me. They waited quietly for my advice.
29:22  When I finished speaking, they had nothing more to say. My words fell gently on their ears.
29:23  They waited for my words as they would for rain. They drank them in like rain in the springtime.
29:24  I smiled at them, and they could hardly believe it. My smile made them feel better.
29:25  I was their leader and made decisions about their future. I was like a king among his troops, comforting those who were sad.