16. I was the father of the poor; and if I lacked knowledge about any case, I investigated very diligently.
17. I crushed the jaws of the impious, and I took away prey from his teeth.
18. And I said, "I will die in my little nest, and like a palm tree, I will multiply my days.
19. My root has been spread beside the waters, and the dew will remain with my harvest.
20. My glory will always be restored, and my bow will be restored to my hand."
21. Those who heard me, expected vindication, and they listened closely in silence to my counsel.
22. To my words, they dared to add nothing, and my eloquence poured over them.
23. They waited for me as for rain, and they opened their mouth as for belated rains.
24. If I had ever laughed at them, they would not have believed it, and the light of my face was not cast down towards the ground.
25. If I wished to go to them, I sat down first, and, though I sat like a king surrounded by an army, yet I was a comforter to whose who mourned.