Job 29:7-17

EJ2000(i) 7 ¶ When I went out to the gate to judgment, when I had my seat prepared in the plaza! 8 The young men would see me and hide themselves, and the aged would arise and stand. 9 The princes would refrain from talking and lay their hand on their mouth; 10 the voice of the principals would not be noticed, and their tongue would cleave to the roof of their mouth. 11 When the ears that heard me, called me blessed; and when the eyes that saw me, gave witness to me: 12 because I delivered the poor that cried and the fatherless who had no one to help him. 13 The blessing of the one that was ready to perish came upon me; and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy. 14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me as a robe; and my diadem was judgment. 15 I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. 16 I was a father to the needy; and the cause which I did not know I searched out. 17 And I broke the fangs of the wicked and caused their teeth to release the prey.