Job 29

1 And Job [the patriarch, a man of patience] continued [added to, took up again] his discourse [parable, a wise saying, proverb]: word study 2 “How I long [yearn, deeply desire] for the months [lunar cycles, periods of time] gone by, for the days [epochs, seasons of life] when God [Eloah, the one true Deity] watched over [preserved, protected] me, word study 3 when His lamp [a device for spiritual guidance] shone above my head [the topmost part of the body], and by His light [natural and spiritual illumination, happiness] I walked [to move forward, to live] through the darkness [physical and spiritual, misery or wickedness], word study 4 when I was in my prime [in the ripeness of my days, at the peak of my life], when the friendship [counsel, intimate conversation] of God [Eloah, the one true God] rested [was upon, protected] on my tent [tabernacle, home], word study 5 when the Almighty [Shadday, all-powerful] was still [yet, continuing] with me [by my side, accompanying] and my children [youth, young ones] were around [surrounding, encompassing] me [in my presence], word study 6 when my steps [walks, journeys] were bathed [washed, cleansed] in cream [butter, curd, richness] and the rock [firm foundation, refuge] poured out [uttered, flowed] for me streams [rivers, channels] of oil [olive oil]! word study 7 When I went out [to come out, to leave a place] to the city gate [the entrance to the town, a place of judgment] and took my seat [established my position, prepared my dwelling] in the public square [the street, a broad place, a gathering area], word study 8 the young men [youths, from infancy to adolescence] saw me and withdrew [hid themselves, stepped aside respectfully], and the old men [aged, elderly and experienced] rose to their feet [stood up, rose to show respect]. word study 9 The princes [rulers, leaders] refrained [held back, restrained] from speaking [talking, conversation] and covered [laid their hand on, placed] their mouths [lips, edge of the mouth] with their hands [palms, open hands]. word study 10 The voices [sounds of leaders, utterances of nobles] of the nobles [leaders, commanders] were hushed [held their peace, became quiet], and their tongues [instruments of speech, languages] stuck [cleaved, clung] to the roofs [palates, upper mouths] of their mouths [a source of speech]. word study 11 For [because of my actions, since they heard] those who heard me [with their ears, and listened] called me blessed [happy, truly fortunate], and those who saw me [with their eyes, and observed] commended me [gave witness to me, testified on my behalf], word study 12 because I rescued [delivered, saved] the poor [afflicted, humble] who cried out [shouted for help, called for freedom] and the fatherless [orphan, child without a father] who had no [none, not any] helper [one to aid, assist, or support]. word study 13 The dying man [near to destruction, ready to perish] blessed me, and I made the widow’s [a woman whose husband has died, alone and vulnerable] heart [the seat of feelings, will, and intellect] sing [to overcome, shout for joy] for joy [with triumphant praise]. word study 14 I put on righteousness [God’s standard for human behavior], and it clothed me; justice [my judgment, right decisions] was my robe and my turban [a head-dress]. word study 15 I [personally, as an individual] served as eyes [a source of vision, spiritual insight] to the blind [physically or spiritually unable to see] and as feet [a means of movement, support] to the lame [crippled, physically disabled, or weak]. word study 16 I [the speaker, Esau-like] was a father [like a paternal guardian, provider] to the needy [poor, oppressed, and in need of help], and I took up [searched out, defended] the case [cause, dispute, or quarrel] of the stranger [one who is unknown, a foreigner, or an outsider]. word study 17 I shattered [broke, crushed] the fangs [jaws, teeth] of the unjust [morally evil, wicked] and snatched [plucked, tore away] the prey [spoils, food] from his teeth [mouth, jaws]. word study 18 So I thought: ‘I will die [expire, come to my end] in my nest [with my children round me, at home] and multiply [increase, grow] my days [lifespan, time on earth] as the sand [innumerable, countless]. word study 19 My roots [like a tree’s foundation, source of strength] will spread out [open, reach down] to the waters [liquid refreshment], and the dew [moisture, gentle blessing] will rest [lodge, lie] nightly [all night, every evening] on my branches [limbs, extensions of life]. word study 20 My [fresh, renewed] glory [great honor, splendor] is ever new [recently created, restored] within me [accompanying me, with my presence], and my [hunting tool] bow is renewed [restored, readily bent] in my [powerful, directing] hand [an open hand; strength, a side or share].’ word study 21 Men [people, individuals] listened to me with expectation [being attentive], waiting [being patient, trusting] silently [in quiet, stillness] for my counsel [advice, guidance, a plan or purpose]. word study 22 After [following, in the rear] my words [speech, declaration], they spoke [replied, responded] no more [not again, nothing else]; my speech [manner of speaking, utterance] settled [dropped, distilled] on them [upon their hearts] like dew [refreshing drops of rain, gentle moisture]. word study 23 They waited [with anticipation, as for the latter rain] for me as for [the life-giving] rain and drank in my words [with eagerness, like a spring shower] like [the nourishing] spring showers. word study 24 If I [laughed in joy or contempt] smiled [showed joy or favor] at them, they did not [could hardly] believe it; the light of my countenance [face or presence, showing approval] was precious [highly valued or cherished]. word study 25 I chose [selected, decided upon] their course [way, path, manner of life] and presided [sat as chief, ruled] as chief [head, leader, ruler]. So I dwelt [lived, remained, sat] as a king [monarch, ruler, sovereign] among his troops [army, band of soldiers], as a comforter [one who consoles, sympathizes] of the mourners [those who lament, are sorrowful]. word study