29Job 29

CHAP. XXIX. / Iob bemoaneth himselfe, of his former prosperitie and honour.

1Moreouer Iob continued his parable, and said,Select Job 29:1

2O that I were as in moneths past, as in the dayes when God preserued me.Select Job 29:2

3When his candle shined vpon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkenesse:Select Job 29:3

4As I was in the dayes of my youth, when the secret of God was vpon my tabernacle:Select Job 29:4

5When the Almightie was yet with me, when my children were about me:Select Job 29:5

6When I washed my steps with butter, and the rocke powred me out riuers of oyle:Select Job 29:6

7When I went out to the gate, through the citie, when I prepared my seate in the street.Select Job 29:7

8The yong men saw me, and hid themselues: and the aged arose, and stood vp.Select Job 29:8

9The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth.Select Job 29:9

10The Nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaued to the roofe of their mouth.Select Job 29:10

11When the eare heard mee, then it blessed me, and when the eye saw me, it gaue witnesse to me:Select Job 29:11

12Because I deliuered the poore that cried, and the fatherlesse, and him that had none to helpe him.Select Job 29:12

13The blessing of him that was readie to perish, came vpon me: and I caused the widowes heart to sing for ioy.Select Job 29:13

14I put on righteousnesse, and it clothed me: my iudgement was as a robe and a diademe.Select Job 29:14

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

16I was a father to the poore: and the cause which I knewe not, I searched out.Select Job 29:16

17And I brake the iawes of the wicked, and pluckt the spoile out of his teeth.Select Job 29:17

18Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiplie my dayes as the sand.Select Job 29:18

19My roote was spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all night vpon my branch.Select Job 29:19

20My glory was fresh in mee, and my bow was renewed in my hand.Select Job 29:20

21Unto me men gaue eare, and waited, and kept silence at my counsell.Select Job 29:21

22After my words they spake not againe, & my speach dropped vpon them,Select Job 29:22

23And they waited for me as for the raine, and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter raine.Select Job 29:23

24If I laughed on them, they beleeued it not, and the light of my countenance they cast not downe.Select Job 29:24

25I chose out their way, and sate chiefe, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforteth the mourners.Select Job 29:25