2. I long for the past,when God took care of me,
3. and the light from his lampshowed me the waythrough the dark.
4. I was in the prime of life,God All-Powerfulwas my closest friend,
5. and all my childrenwere nearby.
6. My herds gave enough milkto bathe my feet,and from my olive harvestflowed rivers of oil.
7-8. When I sat down at the meetingof the city council,the young leaders stepped aside,while the older ones stood
9-10. and remained silent.
11. Everyone was pleasedwith what I said and did.
12. When poor people or orphanscried out for help,I came to their rescue.
13. And I was highly praisedfor my generosity to widowsand others in poverty.
14. Kindness and justicewere my coat and hat;
15. I was good to the blindand to the lame.
16. I was a father to the needy,and I defended them in court,even if they were strangers.
17. When criminals attacked,I broke their teethand set their victims free.