17 I stopped evil people from abusing their power and saved innocent people from them.
18 “I always thought I would live a long life, growing old with my family around me.
19 I was like a healthy plant with roots that have plenty of water and branches that are wet with dew.
20 I thought each new day would bring more honor and be full of new possibilities.
21 “In the past people listened to me. They waited quietly for my advice.
22 When I finished speaking, they had nothing more to say. My words fell gently on their ears.
23 They waited for my words as they would for rain. They drank them in like rain in the springtime.