And Iyov continued his parable and said:

Who will give me as the months of antiquity, as the days when Elohim watched me?

When his lamp shone upon my head, by his light I walked through darkness.

As I was in the days of my prime, when the counsel of Elohim was over my tent.

When Shaddai was still with me, my young men around me.

When my steps were washed with butter, and the rock poured out streams of oil with me.

When I went out to the gate toward the city, when I prepared my seat in the square.

The young men saw me and hid, and the elders rose and stood.

The princes restrained their words, and put their hand to their mouth.

The voice of the nobles was hushed, and their tongue stuck to the roof of their mouth.

For the ear heard and declared me blessed, and the eye saw and testified for me.

Because I delivered the poor who cried out, and the orphan who had no helper.

The blessing of the perishing came upon me, and I made the heart of the widow sing.

I clothed myself with righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was my robe and turban.

I was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame.

I was a father to the needy, and I investigated the case of him I did not know.

And I broke the fangs of the wicked, and snatched the prey from their teeth.

Then I said, 'I will die in my nest, and multiply my days like the sand.'

My root is open to the waters, and the dew lies on my pasture.

My honor is fresh with me, and my bow is renewed in my hand.

They listened to me and waited, and were silent for my counsel.

After my words, they did not speak again, and my word dripped upon them.

They waited for me as for the rain, and opened their mouths for the late rain.

If I laughed at them, they did not believe, and the light of my face they did not cast down.

I chose their way and sat as chief, and lived like a king among the troops, like one who comforts mourners.