Job’s Righteousness and Esteem in the City Gate

Job 29:7-17

I would go out to the city gate and set up my seat in the open space;

when young men saw me they would hide themselves, while the aged arose and stood;

leaders refrained from speaking -they would lay their hands on their mouths;

the voices of nobles were silenced; their tongues stuck to their palates.

Any ear that heard me blessed me, any eye that saw me gave witness to me,

for I delivered the poor when they cried for assistance, the orphan too, who had no one to help him.

Those who had been about to die would bless me, and I made widows sing in their hearts for joy.

I clothed myself with righteousness, and it clothed itself with me; my justice was like a robe and a crown.

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

I was a father to the needy, and I investigated the problems of those I didn't know.

I broke the jaws of the unrighteous and snatched the prey from his teeth.