7. Whenever I went out to the gate of the cityand took my seat in the square,
8. The young men saw me and withdrew,and the elders rose up and stood;
9. Officials refrained from speakingand covered their mouths with their hands;
10. The voice of the princes was silenced,and their tongues stuck to the roofs of their mouths.
11. The ear that heard blessed me;the eye that saw acclaimed me.
12. For I rescued the poor who cried out for help,the orphans, and the unassisted;
13. The blessing of those in extremity came upon me,and the heart of the widow I made joyful.
14. I wore my righteousness like a garment;justice was my robe and my turban.
15. I was eyes to the blind,and feet to the lame was I.
16. I was a father to the poor;the complaint of the stranger I pursued,
17. And I broke the jaws of the wicked man;from his teeth I forced the prey.
18. I said: “In my own nest I shall grow old;I shall multiply years like the phoenix.
19. My root is spread out to the waters;the dew rests by night on my branches.
20. My glory is fresh within me,and my bow is renewed in my hand!”
21. For me they listened and waited;they were silent for my counsel.
22. Once I spoke, they said no more,but received my pronouncement drop by drop.
23. They waited for me as for the rain;they drank in my words like the spring rains.
24. When I smiled on them they could not believe it;they would not let the light of my face be dimmed.