Job 29:13-23

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.

Job 29:13-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 29

In this chapter Job gives an account of his former and wishes it was with him now as then; and which he describes with respect to his own person, and the favours he personally enjoyed, whether temporal or spiritual, Job 29:1-4; with respect to his family and domestic affairs, Job 29:5,6; with regard to the esteem he had from men of every age and station, Job 29:7-11; the reasons of which were the mercy and compassion he showed to the poor, the fatherless, and the widow, and the justice he administered in the execution of his office as a magistrate, Job 29:12-17; in which honour and prosperity he expected to have lived and died, Job 29:18-20; and which he further describes by the respect he had among men, and the power and authority he exercised over them, Job 29:21-25.