Job 29

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW JERUSALEM
1 And Job continued his solemn discourse. He said:	1 And Job continued his solemn discourse. He said:
2 Wil no one bring back to me the months that have gone, and the days when God was my guardian,	2 Wil no one bring back to me the months that have gone, and the days when God was my guardian,
3 when his lamp shone over my head, and his light was my guide in the darkness?	3 when his lamp shone over my head, and his light was my guide in the darkness?
4 Shal I ever see my days of harvest again when God protected my tent;	4 Shal I ever see my days of harvest again when God protected my tent;
5 when Shaddai stil dwelt with me, and my children were around me;	5 when Shaddai stil dwelt with me, and my children were around me;
6 when my feet were bathed in milk, and streams of oil poured from the rocks?	6 when my feet were bathed in milk, and streams of oil poured from the rocks?
7 When I went out to the gate of the city, when I took my seat in the square,	7 When I went out to the gate of the city, when I took my seat in the square,
8 as soon as I appeared, the young men stepped aside, and the old men rose to their feet.	8 as soon as I appeared, the young men stepped aside, and the old men rose to their feet.
9 Men of note broke off their speeches, and put their hands over their mouths;	9 Men of note broke off their speeches, and put their hands over their mouths;
10 the voices of rulers were silenced, and their tongues stayed stil in their mouths.	10 the voices of rulers were silenced, and their tongues stayed stil in their mouths.
11 On hearing me, people congratulated me, on seeing me, people deferred to me,	11 On hearing me, people congratulated me, on seeing me, people deferred to me,
12 because I freed the poor in distress and the orphan who had no helper.	12 because I freed the poor in distress and the orphan who had no helper.
13 The dying man's blessing rested on me and I gave the widow's heart cause to rejoice.	13 The dying man's blessing rested on me and I gave the widow's heart cause to rejoice.
14 Uprightness I wore as a garment, fair judgement was my cloak and my turban.	14 Uprightness I wore as a garment, fair judgement was my cloak and my turban.
15 I was eyes for the blind, and feet for the lame.	15 I was eyes for the blind, and feet for the lame.
16 Who but me was father of the poor? The stranger's case had a hearing from me.	16 Who but me was father of the poor? The stranger's case had a hearing from me.
17 I used to break the fangs of the wicked, and snatch their prey from their jaws.	17 I used to break the fangs of the wicked, and snatch their prey from their jaws.
18 And I used to say, 'I shall die in honour, after days as numerous as the sand.	18 And I used to say, 'I shall die in honour, after days as numerous as the sand.
19 My roots can reach the water, the dews of night settle on my leaves.	19 My roots can reach the water, the dews of night settle on my leaves.
20 My glory wil be for ever new and the bow in my hand for ever strong.'	20 My glory wil be for ever new and the bow in my hand for ever strong.'
21 They waited anxiously to hear me, and listened in silence to what I had to say.	21 They waited anxiously to hear me, and listened in silence to what I had to say.
22 When I had finished, no one contradicted, my words dropping on them, one by one.	22 When I had finished, no one contradicted, my words dropping on them, one by one.
23 They waited for me as though for rain, open-mouthed as though for a late shower.	23 They waited for me as though for rain, open-mouthed as though for a late shower.
24 If I smiled at them, it was too good to be true, they watched my face for the least sign of favour.	24 If I smiled at them, it was too good to be true, they watched my face for the least sign of favour.
25 As their chief, I told them which course to take, like a king living among his troops, and I led themwherever I chose.	25 As their chief, I told them which course to take, like a king living among his troops, and I led themwherever I chose.