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And Iyov again lifted his proverb and said:
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“Who shall grant me to be as in new moons past, as in the days when Eloah guarded me;
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when His lamp shone over my head, and by His light I walked through darkness;
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as I was in the days of my harvest, when the secret counsel of Eloah was over my tent;
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when Shaddai was still with me, and my young ones were around me;
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when my steps were washed with curds and the rock poured streams of oil for me;
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when I went out to the gate of the city and prepared my seat in the street.
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Young ones saw me and hid, and the aged rose and stood.
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Rulers restrained words and placed a palm upon their mouth.
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The voice of nobles was concealed, and their tongue clung to their palate.
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For the ear heard and called me blessed, and the eye saw and bore witness for me,
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because I delivered the poor who cried and the fatherless who had no helper.
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The blessing of the one perishing came upon me, and I caused the heart of the widow to rejoice.
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I clothed myself with righteousness, and it clothed me; my Judgment was like a robe and turban.
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I became eyes to the blind and feet to the lame.
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I was a father to the needy, and I searched out the dispute I did not know.
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I broke the fangs of the crooked and tore prey from his teeth.
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Then I said, ‘I shall expire with my nest, and multiply my days like sand.
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My root is opened toward waters, and dew lodges upon my branch.
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My glory is new with me, and my bow changes strength in my hand.’
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They heard me and waited; they were silent for my counsel.
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After my Word they did not speak again, and my speech dropped upon them.
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They waited for me as for rain and opened their mouth for the latter rain.
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I laughed toward them when they did not trust, and they did not cast down the light of my face.
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I chose their way and sat as head; I dwelt as a sovereign among the troop, as one comforting mourners.