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[1] So Job proceeded and continued his parable, saying,
[2] Oh that I were as in times past, when God preserved me!
[3] When his light shined upon mine head: and when by his light I walked through the darkness,
[4] As I was in the days of my youth: when God's providence was upon my tabernacle:
[5] When the almighty was yet with me, and my children round about me.
[6] When I washed my paths with butter, and when the rock poured me out rivers of oil:
[7] When I went out to the gate, even to the judgment seat, and when I caused them to prepare my seat in the street.
[8] The young men saw me, and hid themselves, and the aged arose, and stood up.
[9] The princes stayed talk, and laid their hand on their mouth.
[10] The voice of princes was hid, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth.
[11] And when the ear heard me, it blessed me: and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me.
[12] For I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.
[13] The blessing of him that was ready to perish, came upon me, and I caused the widow's heart to rejoice.
[14] I put on justice, and it covered me: my judgment was as a robe, and a crown.
[15] I was the eyes to the blind, and I was the feet to the lame.
[16] I was a father unto the poor, and when I knew not the cause, I sought it out diligently.
[17] I break also the jaws of the unrighteous man, and plucked the prey out of his teeth.
[18] Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand.
[19] For my root is spread out by the water, and the dew shall lie upon my branch.
[20] My glory shall renew toward me, and my bow shall be restored in mine hand.
[21] Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and held their tongue at my counsel.
[22] After my words they replied not, and my talk dropped upon them.
[23] And they waited for me, as for the rain, and they opened their mouth as for the latter rain.
[24] If I laughed on them, they believed it not: neither did they cause the light of my countenance to fall.
[25] I appointed out their way, and did sit as chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, and like him that comforteth the mourners.
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