Job 29:7-25
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 29
7When I went out to the gate of the city, When I took my seat in the public square, 8The young men saw me and hid themselves, And the old men arose and stood. 9The leaders stopped talking And put their hands on their mouths; 10The voices of the prominent people were hushed, And their tongues stuck to their palates. 11For when an ear heard, it called me blessed, And when an eye saw, it testified in support of me, 12Because I saved the poor who cried for help, And the orphan who had no helper. 13The blessing of the one who was about to perish came upon me, And I made the widow’s heart sing for joy. 14I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; My justice was like a robe and a headband. 15I was eyes to those who were blind, And feet to those who could not walk. 16I was a father to the poor, And I investigated the case which I did not know. 17I broke the jaws of the wicked And rescued the prey from his teeth. 18Then I thought, ‘I will die with my family, And I will multiply my days as the sand. 19My root is spread out to the waters, And dew lies on my branch all night. 20My glory is ever new with me, And my bow is renewed in my hand.’ 21'To me they listened and waited, And they kept silent for my advice. 22After my words they did not speak again, And my speech dropped on them. 23They waited for me as for the rain, And opened their mouths as for the late rain. 24I smiled at them when they did not believe, And they did not look at my kindness ungraciously. 25I chose a way for them and sat as chief, And lived as a king among the troops, As one who comforted the mourners.King James Version
10The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth.
11When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me:
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.
Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 29
7When I went out to the city gate and took my seat in the town square, 8the young men saw me and withdrew, while older men stood to their feet. 9City officials stopped talking and covered their mouths with their hands. 10The noblemen’s voices were hushed, and their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths. 11When they heard me, they blessed me, and when they saw me, they spoke well of me. 12For I rescued the poor who cried out for help, and the fatherless child who had no one to support him. 13The dying blessed me, and I made the widow’s heart rejoice. 14I clothed myself in righteousness, and it enveloped me; my just decisions were like a robe and a turban. 15I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. 16I was a father to the needy, and I examined the case of the stranger.
17I shattered the fangs of the unjust and snatched the prey from his teeth.
18So I thought, "I will die in my own nest and multiply my days as the sand.
19My roots will have access to water, and the dew will rest on my branches all night.
20My whole being will be refreshed within me, and my bow will be renewed in my hand."
21Men listened to me with expectation, waiting silently for my advice.
22After a word from me they did not speak again; my speech settled on them like dew.
23They waited for me as for the rain and opened their mouths as for spring showers.
24If I smiled at them, they couldn’t believe it; they were thrilled at the light of my countenance.
25I directed their course and presided as chief. I lived as a king among his troops, like one who comforts those who mourn.
New Living Translation
Chapter 29
7'Those were the days when I went to the city gate and took my place among the honored leaders. 8The young stepped aside when they saw me, and even the aged rose in respect at my coming. 9The princes stood in silence and put their hands over their mouths. 10The highest officials of the city stood quietly, holding their tongues in respect.
11'All who heard me praised me. All who saw me spoke well of me.
12For I assisted the poor in their need and the orphans who required help.
13I helped those without hope, and they blessed me. And I caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy.
14Everything I did was honest. Righteousness covered me like a robe, and I wore justice like a turban.
15I served as eyes for the blind and feet for the lame.
16I was a father to the poor and assisted strangers who needed help.
17I broke the jaws of godless oppressors and plucked their victims from their teeth.
18'I thought, ‘Surely I will die surrounded by my family after a long, good life.
19For I am like a tree whose roots reach the water, whose branches are refreshed with the dew.
20New honors are constantly bestowed on me, and my strength is continually renewed.’
21'Everyone listened to my advice. They were silent as they waited for me to speak.
22And after I spoke, they had nothing to add, for my counsel satisfied them.
23They longed for me to speak as people long for rain. They drank my words like a refreshing spring rain.
24When they were discouraged, I smiled at them. My look of approval was precious to them.
25Like a chief, I told them what to do. I lived like a king among his troops and comforted those who mourned.
English Standard Version
Chapter 29
7When I went out to the gate of the city, when I prepared my seat in the square, 8the young men saw me and withdrew, and the aged rose and stood; 9the princes refrained from talking and laid their hand on their mouth; 10the voice of the nobles was hushed, and their tongue stuck to the roof of their mouth. 11When the ear heard, it called me blessed, and when the eye saw, it approved, 12because I delivered the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to help him. 13 The blessing of him who was about 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 justice was like a robe and a turban. 15I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. 16I was a father to the needy, and I searched out the cause of him whom I did not know. 17I broke the fangs of the unrighteous and made him drop his prey from his teeth. 18 Then I thought, ‘I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand, 19my roots spread out to the waters, with the dew all night on my branches, 20my glory fresh with me, and my bow ever new in my hand.’ 21"Men listened to me and waited and kept silence for my counsel. 22After I spoke they did not speak again, and my word dropped upon them. 23They waited for me as for the rain, and they opened their mouths as for the spring rain. 24I smiled on them when they had no confidence, and the light of my face they did not cast down. 25I chose their way and sat as chief, and I lived like a king among his troops, like one who comforts mourners.New International Version
Chapter 29
7"When I went to the gate of the city and took my seat in the public square, 8the young men saw me and stepped aside and the old men rose to their feet; 9the chief men refrained from speaking and covered their mouths with their hands; 10the voices of the nobles were hushed, and their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths. 11Whoever heard me spoke well of me, and those who saw me commended me, 12because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist them. 13The one who was dying blessed me; I made the widow’s heart sing. 14I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and my turban. 15I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. 16I was a father to the needy; I took up the case of the stranger.
17I broke the fangs of the wicked and snatched the victims from their teeth.
18"I thought, ‘I will die in my own house, my days as numerous as the grains of sand.
19My roots will reach to the water, and the dew will lie all night on my branches.
20My glory will not fade; the bow will be ever new in my hand.’
21"People listened to me expectantly, waiting in silence for my counsel.
22After I had spoken, they spoke no more; my words fell gently on their ears.
23They waited for me as for showers and drank in my words as the spring rain.
24When I smiled at them, they scarcely believed it; the light of my face was precious to them.
25I chose the way for them and sat as their chief; I dwelt as a king among his troops; I was like one who comforts mourners.
New King James Version
