Dual Panel1Job said:
2I long for the past, when God took care of me,
3and the light from his lamp showed me the way through the dark.
4I was in the prime of life, God All-Powerful was my closest friend,
5and all of my children were nearby.
6My herds gave enough milk to bathe my feet, and from my olive harvest flowed rivers of oil.
7When I sat down at the meeting of the city council,
8the young leaders stepped aside,
9while the older ones stood
10and remained silent.
11Everyone was pleased with what I said and did.
12When poor people or orphans cried out for help, I came to their rescue.
13And I was highly praised for my generosity to widows and others in poverty.
14Kindness and justice were my coat and hat;
15I was good to the blind and to the lame.
16I was a father to the needy, and I defended them in court, even if they were strangers.
17When criminals attacked, I broke their teeth and set their victims free.
18I felt certain that I would live a long and happy life, then die in my own bed.
19In those days I was strong like a tree with deep roots and with plenty of water,
20or like an archer's new bow.
21Everyone listened in silence to my welcome advice,
22and when I finished speaking, nothing needed to be said.
23My words were eagerly accepted like the showers of spring,
24and the smile on my face renewed everyone's hopes.
25My advice was followed as though I were a king leading my troops, or someone comforting those in sorrow.