1 Job again took up his parable, and said, 2 “Oh that I were as in the months of old, 3 when his lamp shone on my head, 4 as I was in the ripeness of my days, 5 when the Almighty was yet with me, 6 when my steps were washed with butter, 7 when I went out to the city gate, 8 The young men saw me and hid themselves. 9 The princes refrained from talking, 10 The voice of the nobles was hushed, 11 For when the ear heard me, then it blessed me; 12 Because I delivered the poor who cried, 13 the blessing of him who was ready to perish came on me, 14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me. 15 I was eyes to the blind, 16 I was a father to the needy. 17 I broke the jaws of the unrighteous, 18 Then I said, ‘I shall die in my own house, 19 My root is spread out to the waters. 20 My glory is fresh in me. 21 “Men listened to me, waited, 22 After my words they didn’t speak again. 23 They waited for me as for the rain. 24 I smiled on them when they had no confidence. 25 I chose out their way, and sat as chief.