Job 29:7-25

Rotherham(i) 7 When I went out to the gate unto the city, in the open place, made ready my seat, 8 Young men saw me, and hid themselves, and, the aged, arose––they stood; 9 Rulers, restrained speech, and, a hand, laid they on their mouth; 10 The voice of nobles, was hushed, and their tongue to their palate, did cleave; 11 When, the ear, heard, then it pronounced me happy, When, the eye, saw, then it bare me witness; 12 Because I used to deliver the oppressed who was crying out for aid, the fatherless also, and him that had no helper; 13 The blessing of him that was ready to perish, upon me was wont to descend, and, the heart of the widow, caused I to sing for joy; 14 Righteousness, I put on, and it clothed me, Like a robe and turban, was my, justice; 15 Eyes, became I to the, blind, and, feet to the lame, was, I! 16 A father, was, I, to the needy, and, as for the cause which I knew not, I used to search it out; 17 And I shivered the fangs of the perverse,––and, out of his teeth, I tare the prey.
18 Then said I, Like a stem, shall I grow old, yea, as the sand, shall I multiply days: 19 My root, is laid open to the waters, and, the dew, shall lodge for the night in my boughs; 20 Mine honour, shall be young again with me, and, my bow, in my hand, be renewed. 21 To me, men hearkened, and waited, and kept silence for my counsel; 22 After I had spoken, they spake not again, and, upon them, used my speech to drop; 23 And they waited, as for rain, for me, and, their mouths, they opened wide for the spring–rain; 24 I laughed at them––they lost confidence, and, the light of my countenance, they suffered not to fail; 25 I chose out their way, and sat chief,––and abode, as king, in an army, as one who, to mourners, giveth comfort.