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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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