1 Job began speaking again.
2 If only my life could once againbe as it was when God watched over me.
3 God was always with me thenand gave me light as I walked through the darkness.
4 Those were the days when I was prosperous,and the friendship of God protected my home.
5 Almighty God was with me then,and I was surrounded by all my children.
6 My cows and goats gave plenty of milk,and my olive trees grew in the rockiest soil.
7 Whenever the city elders metand I took my place among them,
8 young men stepped aside as soon as they saw me,and old men stood up to show me respect.
9 The leaders of the people would stop talking;
10 even the most important men kept silent.
11 Everyone who saw me or heard of mehad good things to say about what I had done.
12 When the poor cried out, I helped them;I gave help to orphans who had nowhere to turn.
13 People who were in deepest misery praised me,and I helped widows find security.
14 I have always acted justly and fairly.
15 I was eyes for the blind,and feet for the lame.
16 I was like a father to the poorand took the side of strangers in trouble.
17 I destroyed the power of cruel menand rescued their victims.
18 I always expected to live a long lifeand to die at home in comfort.
19 I was like a tree whose roots always have waterand whose branches are wet with dew.
20 Everyone was always praising me,and my strength never failed me.
21 When I gave advice, people were silentand listened carefully to what I said;
22 they had nothing to add when I had finished.My words sank in like drops of rain;
23 everyone welcomed themjust as farmers welcome rain in spring.
24 I smiled on them when they had lost confidence;my cheerful face encouraged them.
25 I took charge and made the decisions;I led them as a king leads his troops,and gave them comfort in their despair.