29Job 29

Job's Final Statement of His Case

1Job began speaking again.Select Job 29:1

Job

2If only my life could once again be as it was when God watched over me.Select Job 29:2

3God was always with me then and gave me light as I walked through the darkness.Select Job 29:3

4Those were the days when I was prosperous, and the friendship of God protected my home.Select Job 29:4

5Almighty God was with me then, and I was surrounded by all my children.Select Job 29:5

6My cows and goats gave plenty of milk, and my olive trees grew in the rockiest soil.Select Job 29:6

7Whenever the city elders met and I took my place among them,Select Job 29:7

8young men stepped aside as soon as they saw me, and old men stood up to show me respect.Select Job 29:8

9The leaders of the people would stop talking;Select Job 29:9

10even the most important men kept silent.Select Job 29:10

11Everyone who saw me or heard of me had good things to say about what I had done.Select Job 29:11

12When the poor cried out, I helped them; I gave help to orphans who had nowhere to turn.Select Job 29:12

13People who were in deepest misery praised me, and I helped widows find security.Select Job 29:13

14I have always acted justly and fairly.Select Job 29:14

15I was eyes for the blind, and feet for the lame.Select Job 29:15

16I was like a father to the poor and took the side of strangers in trouble.Select Job 29:16

17I destroyed the power of cruel men and rescued their victims.Select Job 29:17

18I always expected to live a long life and to die at home in comfort.Select Job 29:18

19I was like a tree whose roots always have water and whose branches are wet with dew.Select Job 29:19

20Everyone was always praising me, and my strength never failed me.Select Job 29:20

21When I gave advice, people were silent and listened carefully to what I said;Select Job 29:21

22they had nothing to add when I had finished. My words sank in like drops of rain;Select Job 29:22

23everyone welcomed them just as farmers welcome rain in spring.Select Job 29:23

24I smiled on them when they had lost confidence; my cheerful face encouraged them.Select Job 29:24

25I took charge and made the decisions; I led them as a king leads his troops, and gave them comfort in their despair.Select Job 29:25