12. because I rescued the poor who cried out, and the fatherless who had no helper.
13. The blessing of the perishing one would come upon me, and I made the widow’s heart sing for joy.
14. I put on righteousness, and it robed me; right-ruling was my cloak and turban.
15. I was eyes to the blind, and I was feet to the lame.
16. I was a father to the poor, and I investigated the case which I did not know.
17. And I broke the jaws of the perverse, and snatched the prey from his teeth.
18. Then I thought I would die in my nest, and increase my days as the sand,
19. my root reaching out to the waters, and dew lying all night on my branch,
20. my esteem fresh within me, and my bow renewed in my hand.
21. To me they listened, and they waited, and kept silence at my counsel.
22. After my words they did not speak again, and my speech settled on them.
23. And they waited for me like the rain, and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain.
24. I smiled at those who did not believe, and the light of my face they did not dim.
25. I chose the way for them, and sat as chief, and I dwelt like a sovereign in the army, like one who comforts mourners.