> [[job-28|← Previous]] | [[job-00|TOC]] | [[job-30|Next →]] --- # Job, Chapter 29 ## Chapter 29 # VI. Job's Final Summary of His Cause 1 Job took up his theme again and said: ^job-29-1 2 Oh, that I were as in the months past, ^job-29-2 as in the days when God watched over me: 3 While he kept his lamp shining above my head, ^job-29-3 and by his light I walked through darkness; 4 As I was in my flourishing days, ^job-29-4 when God sheltered my tent; 5 When the Almighty was still with me, ^job-29-5 and my children were round about me; 6 When my footsteps were bathed in cream, ^job-29-6 and the rock flowed with streams of oil. 7 Whenever I went out to the gate of the city ^job-29-7 and took my seat in the square, 8 The young men saw me and withdrew, ^job-29-8 and the elders rose up and stood; 9 Officials refrained from speaking ^job-29-9 and covered their mouths with their hands; 10 The voice of the princes was silenced, ^job-29-10 and their tongues stuck to the roofs of their mouths. 11 The ear that heard blessed me; ^job-29-11 the eye that saw acclaimed me. 12 For I rescued the poor who cried out for help, ^job-29-12 the orphans, and the unassisted; 13 The blessing of those in extremity came upon me, ^job-29-13 and the heart of the widow I made joyful. 14 I wore my righteousness like a garment; ^job-29-14 justice was my robe and my turban. 15 I was eyes to the blind, ^job-29-15 and feet to the lame was I. 16 I was a father to the poor; ^job-29-16 the complaint of the stranger I pursued, 17 And I broke the jaws of the wicked man; ^job-29-17 from his teeth I forced the prey. 18 I said: “In my own nest I shall grow old; ^job-29-18 I shall multiply years like the phoenix. 19 My root is spread out to the waters; ^job-29-19 the dew rests by night on my branches. 20 My glory is fresh within me, ^job-29-20 and my bow is renewed in my hand!” 21 For me they listened and waited; ^job-29-21 they were silent for my counsel. 22 Once I spoke, they said no more, ^job-29-22 but received my pronouncement drop by drop. 23 They waited for me as for the rain; ^job-29-23 they drank in my words like the spring rains. 24 When I smiled on them they could not believe it; ^job-29-24 they would not let the light of my face be dimmed. 25 I decided their course and sat at their head, ^job-29-25 I lived like a king among the troops, like one who comforts mourners. \* (29:1) This chapter begins Job’s soliloquy, which will end in [31:40]. He describes in florid and exaggerated terms his former lifestyle with all its blessings, a deliberate contrast to his current plight, which will be further described in chap. [30]. \* (29:6) Hyperbole to express abundance; see note on [20:17]. \* (29:18) Phoenix: a legendary bird which, after several centuries of life, consumed itself in fire, then rose from its ashes in youthful freshness. a. (29:2) [Jb 1:10]. b. (29:9) ([[wisdom-08|Wis 8]]:10] – [12]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[job-28|← Previous]] | [[job-00|TOC]] | [[job-30|Next →]]