Job's Former Blessings

1And Job continued and said in his parable,

2Oh that I were as in months past, wherein God preserved me!

3As when his lamp shone over my head; when by his light I walked through darkness.

4As when I steadfastly pursued my ways, when God took care of my house.

5When I was very fruitful, and my children were about me;

6when my ways were moistened with butter, and the mountains flowed for me with milk.

7When I went forth early in the city, and the seat was placed for me in the streets.

8The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and all the old men stood up.

9And the great men ceased speaking, and laid their finger on their mouth.

10And they that heard me blessed me, and their tongue clave to their throat.

11For the ear heard, and blessed me; and the eye saw me, and turned aside.

12For I saved the poor out of the hand of the oppressor, and helped the fatherless who had no helper.

13Let the blessing of the perishing one come upon me; yea, the mouth of the widow has blessed me.

14Also I put on righteousness, and clothed myself with judgment like a mantle.

15I was the eye of the blind, and the foot of the lame.

16I was the father of the helpless; and I searched out the cause which I knew not.

17And I broke the jaw-teeth of the unrighteous; I plucked the spoil out of the midst of their teeth.

18And I said, My age shall continue as the stem of a palm-tree; I shall live a long while.

19My root was spread out by the water, and the dew would lodge on my crop.

20My glory was fresh in me, and by bow prospered in his hand.

21Men heard me, and gave heed, and they were silent at my counsel.

22At my word they spoke not again, and they were very gland whenever I spoke to them.

23As the thirsty earth expecting the rain, so they waited for my speech.

24Were I to laugh on them, they would not believe it; and the light of my face has not failed.

25I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the midst of warriors, as one comforting mourners.