029:001

Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me

029:002

When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness

029:003

As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle

029:004

When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me

029:005

When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil

029:006

When I went out to the gate through the city, when I prepared my seat in the street

029:007

The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up

029:008

The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth

029:009

The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth

029:010

When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me

029:011

Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him

029:012

The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy

029:013

I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem

029:014

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

029:015

I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out

029:016

And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth

029:017

Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand

029:018

My root was spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branch

029:019

My glory was fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my hand

029:020

Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel

029:021

After my words they spake not again; and my speech dropped upon them

029:022

And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain

029:023

If I laughed on them, they believed it not; and the light of my countenance they cast not down

029:024

I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforteth the mourners