1Moreover Job continued his parable , and said , 2Oh that I were as in months past , as in the days when God preserved me; 3When his candle shined upon my head , and when by his light I walked through darkness ; 4As I was in the days of my youth , when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle ; 5When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me; 6When I washed my steps with butter , and the rock poured me out rivers of oil ; 7When I went out to the gate through the city , when I prepared my seat in the street ! 8The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose , and stood up . 9The princes refrained talking , and laid their hand on their mouth . 10The nobles held their peace , and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth .
Job's Integrity and Righteousness
11When the ear heard me , then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me , it gave witness to me: 12Because I delivered the poor that cried , and the fatherless , and him that had none to help him. 13The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy . 14I put on righteousness , and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem . 15I was eyes to the blind , and feet was I to the lame . 16I was a father to the poor : and the cause which I knew not I searched out . 17And I brake the jaws of the wicked , and plucked the spoil out of his teeth . 18Then I said , I shall die in my nest , and I shall multiply my days as the sand . 19My root was spread out by the waters , and the dew lay all night upon my branch . 20My glory was fresh in me , and my bow was renewed in my hand .
Job's Desire for Restoration
21Unto me men gave ear , and waited , and kept silence at my counsel . 22After my words they spake not again ; and my speech dropped upon them. 23And they waited for me as for the rain ; and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain . 24If I laughed on them, they believed it not; and the light of my countenance they cast not down . 25I chose out their way , and sat chief , and dwelt as a king in the army , as one that comforteth the mourners .