16 I was a father to the needy.The cause of him who I didn’t know, I searched out.
17 I broke the jaws of the unrighteous,and plucked the prey out of his teeth.
18 Then I said, ‘I shall die in my own house,I shall count my days as the sand.
19 My root is spread out to the waters.The dew lies all night on my branch.
20 My glory is fresh in me.My bow is renewed in my hand.’
21 “Men listened to me, waited,and kept silence for my counsel.
22 After my words they didn’t speak again.My speech fell on them.