1 And Job continues to lift up his allegory and says: 2 “Who makes me as in months past, || As in the days of God’s preserving me? 3 In His causing His lamp to shine on my head, || By His light I walk through darkness. 4 As I have been in days of my maturity, || And the counsel of God on my tent. 5 When yet the Mighty One is with me. Around me—my young ones, 6 When washing my goings with butter, || And the firm rock is with me—streams of oil. 7 When I go out to the gate by the city, || In a broad place I prepare my seat. 8 Youths have seen me, and they have been hidden, || And the aged have risen—they stood up. 9 Princes have kept in words, || And they place a hand on their mouth. 10 The voice of leaders has been hidden, || And their tongue has cleaved to the palate. 11 For the ear heard, and declares me blessed, || And the eye has seen, and testifies to me. 12 For I deliver the afflicted who is crying, || And the fatherless who has no helper. 13 The blessing of the perishing comes on me, || And I cause the heart of the widow to sing. 14 I have put on righteousness, and it clothes me, || My justice as a robe and a crown. 15 I have been eyes to the blind, || And I am feet to the lame. 16 I am a father to the needy, || And the cause I have not known I search out. 17 And I break the jaw-teeth of the perverse, || And from his teeth I cast away prey. 18 And I say, I breathe my last with my nest, || And I multiply days as the sand. 19 My root is open to the waters, || And dew lodges on my branch. 20 My glory is fresh with me, || And my bow is renewed in my hand. 21 They have listened to me, || Indeed, they wait, and are silent for my counsel. 22 After my word they do not change, || And my speech drops on them, 23 And they wait for me as for rain, || And they have opened wide their mouth || As for the spring rain. 24 I laugh at them—they give no credence, || And do not cause the light of my face to fall. 25 I choose their way, and sit as head, || And I dwell as a king in a troop, || When he comforts mourners.”