1. Job began speaking again.
2. If only my life could once againbe as it was when God watched over me.
3. God was always with me thenand gave me light as I walked through the darkness.
4. Those were the days when I was prosperous,and the friendship of God protected my home.
5. Almighty God was with me then,and I was surrounded by all my children.
6. My cows and goats gave plenty of milk,and my olive trees grew in the rockiest soil.
7. Whenever the city elders metand I took my place among them,
8. young men stepped aside as soon as they saw me,and old men stood up to show me respect.
9. The leaders of the people would stop talking;
10. even the most important men kept silent.
11. Everyone who saw me or heard of mehad good things to say about what I had done.
12. When the poor cried out, I helped them;I gave help to orphans who had nowhere to turn.
13. Those who were in deepest misery praised me,and I helped widows find security.
14. I have always acted justly and fairly.
15. I was eyes for the blind,and feet for the lame.
16. I was like a father to the poorand took the side of strangers in trouble.
17. I destroyed the power of cruel menand rescued their victims.
18. I always expected to live a long lifeand to die at home in comfort.
19. I was like a tree whose roots always have waterand whose branches are wet with dew.
20. Everyone was always praising me,and my strength never failed me.
21. When I gave advice, people were silentand listened carefully to what I said;
22. they had nothing to add when I had finished.My words sank in like drops of rain;
23. everyone welcomed themjust as farmers welcome rain in spring.
24. I smiled on them when they had lost confidence;my cheerful face encouraged them.