Job 29:8-18

8 Les jeunes gens se retiraient à mon approche, Les vieillards se levaient et se tenaient debout.

9 Les princes arrêtaient leurs discours, Et mettaient la main sur leur bouche;

10 La voix des chefs se taisait, Et leur langue s'attachait à leur palais.

11 L'oreille qui m'entendait me disait heureux, L'oeil qui me voyait me rendait témoignage;

12 Car je sauvais le pauvre qui implorait du secours, Et l'orphelin qui manquait d'appui.

13 La bénédiction du malheureux venait sur moi; Je remplissais de joie le coeur de la veuve.

14 Je me revêtais de la justice et je lui servais de vêtement, J'avais ma droiture pour manteau et pour turban.

15 J'étais l'oeil de l'aveugle Et le pied du boiteux.

16 J'étais le père des misérables, J'examinais la cause de l'inconnu;

17 Je brisais la mâchoire de l'injuste, Et j'arrachais de ses dents la proie.

18 Alors je disais: Je mourrai dans mon nid, Mes jours seront abondants comme le sable;

Job 29:8-18 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.