13. the blessing of the dying man descended on me,and I made the widow’s heart rejoice;
14. I put on righteousness and it clothed me,my just dealing was like a robe and a turban;
15. I was eyes for the blindand feet for the lame;
16. I was a father to the needy,and I investigated the case of the person I did not know;
17. I broke the fangs of the wicked,and made him drop his prey from his teeth.
18. “Then I thought, ‘I will die in my own home,my days as numerous as the grains of sand.
19. My roots reach the water,and the dew lies on my branches all night long.
20. My glory will always be fresh in me,and my bow ever new in my hand.’
21. “People listened to me and waited silently;they kept silent for my advice.
22. After I had spoken, they did not respond;my words fell on them drop by drop.
23. They waited for me as people wait for the rain,and they opened their mouths as for the spring rains.
24. If I smiled at them, they hardly believed it;and they did not cause the light of my face to darken.
25. I chose the way for themand sat as their chief;I lived like a king among his troops;I was like one who comforts mourners.