THE BOOK OF
JOB
Job 29 ©
Job, wishing to be restored to his former condition, declares how happy the same had been through the favor and blessing of the Lord, v. 1, etc. And how much he was regarded and honored therein by all, 7. By reason of his godly and virtuous life and conduct, 12. He relates likewise what manner of hope he had therein, 18. Together with his continual increase in riches, 19. As also in honor and authority, 20.
MOREOVER 1Job continued his parable, and said,
2Oh that I were as in months past, as 3in the days when God preserved me;
When 4his candle shined upon my head, and when 5by his light I walked through 6darkness;
As I was in the days of my 7youth, when the 8secret of God was upon my tabernacle;
When the Almighty was yet 9with me, when my 10children were about me;
When I 11washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out 12rivers of oil;
When I went out to the 13gate through the city, when I prepared my 14seat in the 15street!
The young men saw me, and 16hid themselves: and the aged 17arose, and stood up.
The princes 18refrained talking, and 19laid their hand on their mouth.
The nobles held their peace, and 20their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth.
When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness 21to me:
Becausea I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.
22The blessing of him that was ready to 23perish came upon me: and I caused the widow's heart to sing for 24joy.
25Ib put on righteousness, and 26it clothed me: my 27judgment was as a robe and a diadem.c
I was eyes to 28the blind, and feet was I to the lame.
I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not 29I searched out.
And I brake 30the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth.
Then I said, I shall 31die in 32my nest, and I shall multiply my days 33as the sand.
My 34root was 35spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branch.
My 36glory 37was fresh in me, and 38my bow was renewed in my hand.
Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel.
After my words they 39spake not again; and 40my speech dropped upon them.
And they waited for me as 41for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide as for the 42latter rain.
43If I laughed on them, they 44believed it not; and 45the light of my countenance they cast not down.
46I chose out their way, and sat 47chief, and dwelt 48as a king in the army, as one that comforteth the mourners.