1 Job continued his poems and said,
2 “If only my life could be like it used to be,
3 when he made his lamp shine on my head,
4 If only I were in the prime of my life ⌞again⌟,
5 When the Almighty was still with me
6 my steps were bathed in buttermilk,
7 When I went through the city gate
8 young men saw me and kept out of sight.
9 Princes held back ⌞their⌟ words
10 The voices of nobles were hushed,
11 “⌞Any⌟ ears that heard me blessed me.
12 because I rescued the poor who called ⌞for help⌟
13 I received a blessing from the dying.
14 I put on righteousness, and it was my clothing.
15 I was eyes for the blind person.
16 I was father to the needy.
17 I broke the teeth of the wicked person
18 “I thought, ‘I may die in my own house,
19 My roots will grow toward the water,
20 My power will be fresh ⌞every day⌟,
21 “People listened to me eagerly,
22 After I had spoken, they wouldn’t speak again.
23 They were as eager to hear me as they were for rain.
24 When I smiled at them, they could hardly believe it,
25 I decided how they should live.