15. I was eyes to the blindand feet to the lame.
16. I was a father to the needy,and I searched out the cause of him whom I did not know.
17. I broke the fangs of the unrighteousand made him drop his prey from his teeth.
18. Then I thought, ‘I shall die in my nest,and I shall multiply my days as the sand,
19. my roots spread out to the waters,with the dew all night on my branches,
20. my glory fresh with me,and my bow ever new in my hand.’
21. “Men listened to me and waitedand kept silence for my counsel.
22. After I spoke they did not speak again,and my word dropped upon them.
23. They waited for me as for the rain,and they opened their mouths as for the spring rain.
24. I smiled on them when they had no confidence,and the light of my face they did not cast down.