1Job again took up his parable, and said, 2"Oh that I were as in the months of old, 3when his lamp shone on my head, 4as I was in the ripeness of my days, 5when the Almighty was yet with me, 6when my steps were washed with butter, 7when I went forth to the city gate, 8The young men saw me and hid themselves. 9The princes refrained from talking, 10The voice of the nobles was hushed, 11For when the ear heard me, then it blessed me; 12Because I delivered the poor who cried, 13the blessing of him who was ready to perish came on me, 14I put on righteousness, and it clothed me. 15I was eyes to the blind, 16I was a father to the needy. 17I broke the jaws of the unrighteous, 18Then I said, 'I shall die in my own house, 19My root is spread out to the waters. 20My glory is fresh in me. 21"Men listened to me, waited, 22After my words they did not speak again. 23They waited for me as for the rain. 24I smiled on them when they had no confidence. 25I chose out their way, and sat as chief.