Job 29:1-20 (NRSV)
Job again took up his discourse and said: 2"Oh, that I were as in the months of old, as in the days when God watched over me; 3when his lamp shone over my head, and by his light I walked through darkness; 4when I was in my prime, when the friendship of God was upon my tent; 5when the Almighty was still with me, when my children were around me; 6when my steps were washed with milk, and the rock poured out for me streams of oil!
7 When I went out to the gate of the city, when I took my seat in the square, 8the young men saw me and withdrew, and the aged rose up and stood; 9the nobles refrained from talking, and laid their hands on their mouths; 10the voices of princes were hushed, and their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths. 11When the ear heard, it commended me, and when the eye saw, it approved; 12because I delivered the poor who cried, and the orphan who had no helper. 13The blessing of the wretched 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 championed the cause of the stranger. 17I broke the fangs of the unrighteous, and made them drop their prey from their teeth.
18 Then I thought, 'I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days like the phoenix; 19my roots spread out to the waters, with the dew all night on my branches; 20my glory was fresh with me, and my bow ever new in my hand.'
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.