Parallel Bible results for "job 29"

Job 29

New International Version NIV

1 Job continued his discourse:

2 “How I long for the months gone by, for the days when God watched over me,

3 when his lamp shone on my head and by his light I walked through darkness!

4 Oh, for the days when I was in my prime, when God’s intimate friendship blessed my house,

5 when the Almighty was still with me and my children were around me,

6 when my path was drenched with cream and the rock poured out for me streams of olive oil.

7 “When I went to the gate of the city and took my seat in the public square,

8 the young men saw me and stepped aside and the old men rose to their feet;

9 the chief men refrained from speaking and covered their mouths with their hands;

10 the voices of the nobles were hushed, and their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths.

11 Whoever heard me spoke well of me, and those who saw me commended me,

12 because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist them.

13 The one who was dying blessed me; I made the widow’s heart sing.

14 I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and my turban.

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

16 I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger.

17 I broke the fangs of the wicked and snatched the victims from their teeth.

18 “I thought, ‘I will die in my own house, my days as numerous as the grains of sand.

19 My roots will reach to the water, and the dew will lie all night on my branches.

20 My glory will not fade; the bow will be ever new in my hand.’

21 “People listened to me expectantly, waiting in silence for my counsel.

22 After I had spoken, they spoke no more; my words fell gently on their ears.

23 They waited for me as for showers and drank in my words as the spring rain.

24 When I smiled at them, they scarcely believed it; the light of my face was precious to them.

25 I chose the way for them and sat as their chief; I dwelt as a king among his troops; I was like one who comforts mourners.

New Living Translation NLT

1 Job continued speaking:

2 “I long for the years gone by when God took care of me,

3 when he lit up the way before me and I walked safely through the darkness.

4 When I was in my prime, God’s friendship was felt in my home.

5 The Almighty was still with me, and my children were around me.

6 My steps were awash in cream, and the rocks gushed olive oil for me.

7 “Those were the days when I went to the city gate and took my place among the honored leaders.

8 The young stepped aside when they saw me, and even the aged rose in respect at my coming.

9 The princes stood in silence and put their hands over their mouths.

10 The highest officials of the city stood quietly, holding their tongues in respect.

11 “All who heard me praised me. All who saw me spoke well of me.

12 For I assisted the poor in their need and the orphans who required help.

13 I helped those without hope, and they blessed me. And I caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy.

14 Everything I did was honest. Righteousness covered me like a robe, and I wore justice like a turban.

15 I served as eyes for the blind and feet for the lame.

16 I was a father to the poor and assisted strangers who needed help.

17 I broke the jaws of godless oppressors and plucked their victims from their teeth.

18 “I thought, ‘Surely I will die surrounded by my family after a long, good life.

19 For I am like a tree whose roots reach the water, whose branches are refreshed with the dew.

20 New honors are constantly bestowed on me, and my strength is continually renewed.’

21 “Everyone listened to my advice. They were silent as they waited for me to speak.

22 And after I spoke, they had nothing to add, for my counsel satisfied them.

23 They longed for me to speak as people long for rain. They drank my words like a refreshing spring rain.

24 When they were discouraged, I smiled at them. My look of approval was precious to them.

25 Like a chief, I told them what to do. I lived like a king among his troops and comforted those who mourned.