Job 29 (TFTU)

1 Job spoke again, 2 “I wish/desire that I could be like I was previously,during the years when God took care of me. 3 During those years, it was as though God’s lamp [MET] shone on meand gave me light while I walked in the darkness. 4 At that time I was young and strong,and because God was my friend, he protected [PRS] my tent. 5 Almighty God was with me during those yearswhen all my children were around me. 6 My herds provided me with plenty of milk,and streams of oil flowed from the rock where my olives were pressed. 7 “Whenever I went to the place where the elders gathered at the city gate,I sat down with them, 8 and when the young men saw me, they stepped aside respectfully,and the old men also stood respectfully. 9 The leaders of the people stopped talking [DOU], 10 and even the most important men became quietand ceased talking [MTY] in order to hear me speak to them. 11 When they [SYN] all heard what I told them,they said good things about me.When they [SYN] saw me (OR, what I had done), they commended me, 12 because I had helped the poor people when they cried out for helpand I aided/helped orphans who had no one else to help them. 13 Those who were suffering and about to die praised [PRS] me,and I caused widows [SYN] to sing joyfully, because of my helping them. 14 I always acted justly;my continually doing that was like [MET] a robe that I wore and a turban that was wrapped around my head. 15 It was as though [MET] I was eyes for blind peopleand feet for people who were lame. 16 I was like [MET] a father to poor people,and in courts I defended those who were strangers. 17 My causing wicked people to be unable to continue oppressing others was like [MET] breaking the fangs of fierce wild animalsand forcing them to drop from their teeth/mouths the animals that they had caught/seized. 18 “At that time I thought, ‘Surely I will live securely, until I am very old [SIM],and I will die at home with my family.’ 19 I was like a tree [MET] whose roots reach down into the waterand whose branches become wet with dew each night. 20 People always honored me,and I was always strong like [MET] a new bow. 21 “When I spoke, people waited to hear what I would sayand remained silent until I advised them what they should do. 22 After I finished speaking, they did not say any more; it was as though [MET] my words fell on their ears like refreshing drops of rain. 23 They waited for me to speak like they wait for rain;they appreciated what I said like [MET] farmers appreciate the final rain in the spring before the dry season. 24 When they were discouraged, I smiled at them to encourage them;they became encouraged when they saw that I approved of them. 25 I was their leader, and I decided what things would be good for them to do;I was among them like [SIM] a king who is among his troops;I was like someone who comforts others who are mourning.”

Job 29 (TFTU)

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