Job 29

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW JERUSALEM
1 Job also added, taking up his parable, and said:	1 And Job continued his solemn discourse. He said:
2 Who will grant me, that I might be according to the months past, according to the days in which God kept me?	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 shined over my head, and I walked by his light in darkness?	3 when his lamp shone over my head, and his light was my guide in the darkness?
4 As I was in the days of my youth, when God was secretly in my tabernacle?	4 Shal I ever see my days of harvest again when God protected my tent;
5 When the Almighty was with me: and my servants round about me?	5 when Shaddai stil dwelt with me, and my children were around me;
6 When I washed my feet with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil?	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, and in the street they prepared me a chair?	7 When I went out to the gate of the city, when I took my seat in the square,
8 The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the old men rose up and stood.	8 as soon as I appeared, the young men stepped aside, and the old men rose to their feet.
9 The princes ceased to speak, and laid the finger on their mouth.	9 Men of note broke off their speeches, and put their hands over their mouths;
10 The rulers held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to their throat.	10 the voices of rulers were silenced, and their tongues stayed stil in their mouths.
11 The ear that heard me blessed me, and the eye that saw me gave witness to me:	11 On hearing me, people congratulated me, on seeing me, people deferred to me,
12 Because I had delivered the poor man that cried out; and the fatherless that had no helper.	12 because I freed the poor in distress and the orphan who had no helper.
13 The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me, and I comforted the heart of the widow.	13 The dying man's blessing rested on me and I gave the widow's heart cause to rejoice.
14 I was clad with justice: and I clothed myself with my judgment, as with a robe and a diadem.	14 Uprightness I wore as a garment, fair judgement was my cloak and my turban.
15 I was an eye to the blind, and a foot to the lame.	15 I was eyes for the blind, and feet for the lame.
16 I was the father of the poor: and the cause which I knew not, I searched out most diligently.	16 Who but me was father of the poor? The stranger's case had a hearing from me.
17 I broke the jaws of the wicked man, and out of his teeth I took away the prey.	17 I used to break the fangs of the wicked, and snatch their prey from their jaws.
18 And I said: I shall die in my nest, and as a palm tree shall multiply my days.	18 And I used to say, 'I shall die in honour, after days as numerous as the sand.
19 My root is opened beside the waters, and dew shall continue in my harvest.	19 My roots can reach the water, the dews of night settle on my leaves.
20 My glory shall always be renewed, and my bow in my hand shall be repaired.	20 My glory wil be for ever new and the bow in my hand for ever strong.'
21 They that heard me, waited for my sentence, and being attentive held their peace at my counsel.	21 They waited anxiously to hear me, and listened in silence to what I had to say.
22 To my words they durst add nothing, and my speech dropped upon them.	22 When I had finished, no one contradicted, my words dropping on them, one by one.
23 They waited for me as for rain, and they opened their mouth as for a latter shower.	23 They waited for me as though for rain, open-mouthed as though for a late shower.
24 If at any time I laughed on them, they believed not, and the light of my countenance fell not on earth.	24 If I smiled at them, it was too good to be true, they watched my face for the least sign of favour.
25 If I had a mind to go to them, I sat first, and when I sat as a king, with his army standing about him, yet I was a comforter of them that mourned.	25 As their chief, I told them which course to take, like a king living among his troops, and I led themwherever I chose.