I [was] a father to the poor: and the cause [which] I knew not I searched out.
And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth.
Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply [my] days as the sand.
My root [was] spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branch.
My glory [was] fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my hand.
Unto me [men] gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel.
After my words they spake not again; and my speech dropped upon them.
And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide [as] for the latter rain.
[If] I laughed on them, they believed [it] not; and the light of my countenance they cast not down.
I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one [that] comforteth the mourners.
