Job 29:18–25

Then I thought, ‘I shall die in my nest,

and I shall multiply my days as the sand,

my roots spread out to the waters,

with the dew all night on my branches,

my glory fresh with me,

and my bow ever new in my hand.’

“Men listened to me and waited

and kept silence for my counsel.

After I spoke they did not speak again,

and my word dropped upon them.

They waited for me as for the rain,

and they opened their mouths as for the spring rain.

I smiled on them when they had no confidence,

and the light of my face they did not cast down.

I chose their way and sat as chief,

and I lived like a king among his troops,

like one who comforts mourners.

“I thought, ‘I will die in my own house,

my days as numerous as the grains of sand.

My roots will reach to the water,

and the dew will lie all night on my branches.

My glory will not fade;

the bow will be ever new in my hand.’

“People listened to me expectantly,

waiting in silence for my counsel.

After I had spoken, they spoke no more;

my words fell gently on their ears.

They waited for me as for showers

and drank in my words as the spring rain.

When I smiled at them, they scarcely believed it;

the light of my face was precious to them.

I chose the way for them and sat as their chief;

I dwelt as a king among his troops;

I was like one who comforts mourners.

So I thought, “I will die in my own nest

and multiply my days as the sand.

My roots will have access to water,

and the dew will rest on my branches all night.

My whole being will be refreshed within me,

and my bow will be renewed in my hand.”

Men listened to me with expectation,

waiting silently for my advice.

After a word from me they did not speak again;

my speech settled on them like dew.

They waited for me as for the rain

and opened their mouths as for spring showers.

If I smiled at them, they couldn’t believe it;

they were thrilled at the light of my countenance.

I directed their course and presided as chief.

I lived as a king among his troops,

like one who comforts those who mourn.

“I thought, ‘Surely I will die surrounded by my family

after a long, good life.

For I am like a tree whose roots reach the water,

whose branches are refreshed with the dew.

New honors are constantly bestowed on me,

and my strength is continually renewed.’

“Everyone listened to my advice.

They were silent as they waited for me to speak.

And after I spoke, they had nothing to add,

for my counsel satisfied them.

They longed for me to speak as people long for rain.

They drank my words like a refreshing spring rain.

When they were discouraged, I smiled at them.

My look of approval was precious to them.

Like a chief, I told them what to do.

I lived like a king among his troops

and comforted those who mourned.

“And I thought, ‘I will pass away in my nest,

and like the phoenix I shall multiply my days.

My roots were open to water,

and dew spent the night on my branches;

My glory was new with me,

and I was revitalized regularly.’

“They listened to me and waited,

and they kept silent for my counsel.

After my word, they did not speak again,

and my word dropped down like dew upon them.

And they waited for me as for the rain,

and they opened their mouth wide as for the spring rain.

I smiled for them when they had no confidence in anything,

and they did not extinguish the light of my face.

I chose their way, and I sat as head,

and I dwelled like a king among the troops,

like one who comforts mourners.

Then I said, I shall die in my nest,

And I shall multiply my days as the sand.

My root was spread out by the waters,

And the dew lay all night upon my branch.

My glory was fresh in me,

And my bow was renewed in my hand.

Unto me men gave ear, and waited,

And kept silence at my counsel.

After my words they spake not again;

And my speech dropped upon them.

And they waited for me as for the rain;

And they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain.

If I laughed on them, they believed it not;

And the light of my countenance they cast not down.

I chose out their way, and sat chief,

And dwelt as a king in the army,

As one that comforteth the mourners.