Parallel Bible results for "job 29"

Job 29

Common English Bible CEB

1 Job took up his subject again:

2 Oh, that life was like it used to be, like days when God watched over me;

3 when his lamp shone on my head, I walked by his light in the dark;

4 when I was in my prime; when God's counsel was in my tent;

5 when the Almighty was with me, my children around me;

6 when my steps were washed with cream and a rock poured out pools of oil for me.

7 When I went out to the city gate, took my seat in the square,

8 the young saw me and drew back; the old rose and stood;

9 princes restrained speech, put their hand on their mouth;

10 the voices of officials were hushed, their tongue stuck to their palate.

11 Indeed, the ear that heard blessed me; the eye that looked commended me,

12 because I rescued the weak who cried out, the orphans who lacked help.

13 The blessing of the perishing reached me; I made the widow's heart sing;

14 I put on justice, and it clothed me, righteousness as my coat and turban;

15 I was eyes to the blind, feet to the lame.

16 I was a father to the needy; the case I didn't know, I examined.

17 I shattered the fangs of the wicked, rescued prey from their teeth.

18 I thought, I'll die in my nest, multiply days like sand,

19 my roots opening to water, dew lingering on my branches,

20 my honor newly with me, my bow ever successful in my hand.

21 People listened to me and waited, were silent for my advice.

22 After my speech, they didn't respond. My words fell gently on them;

23 they waited for me as for rain, opened their mouth as for spring rain.

24 I smiled on them; they couldn't believe it. They never showed me disfavor.

25 I decided their path, sat as chief. I lived like a king with his troops, like one who comforts mourners.

The Message Bible MSG

1 Job now resumed his response:

2 "Oh, how I long for the good old days, when God took such very good care of me.

3 He always held a lamp before me and I walked through the dark by its light.

4 Oh, how I miss those golden years when God's friendship graced my home,

5 When the Mighty One was still by my side and my children were all around me,

6 When everything was going my way, and nothing seemed too difficult.

7 "When I walked downtown and sat with my friends in the public square,

8 Young and old greeted me with respect; I was honored by everyone in town.

9 When I spoke, everyone listened;

10 they hung on my every word.

11 People who knew me spoke well of me; my reputation went ahead of me.

12 I was known for helping people in trouble and standing up for those who were down on their luck.

13 The dying blessed me, and the bereaved were cheered by my visits.

14 All my dealings with people were good. I was known for being fair to everyone I met.

15 I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame,

16 Father to the needy, and champion of abused aliens.

17 I grabbed street thieves by the scruff of the neck and made them give back what they'd stolen.

18 I thought, 'I'll die peacefully in my own bed, grateful for a long and full life,

19 A life deep-rooted and well-watered, a life limber and dew-fresh,

20 My soul suffused with glory and my body robust until the day I die.'

21 "Men and women listened when I spoke, hung expectantly on my every word.

22 After I spoke, they'd be quiet, taking it all in.

23 They welcomed my counsel like spring rain, drinking it all in.

24 When I smiled at them, they could hardly believe it; their faces lit up, their troubles took wing!

25 I was their leader, establishing the mood and setting the pace by which they lived. Where I led, they followed.