Read the Bible

² "I wish my life could be the same as it was a few months ago,
    when God watched over me and cared for me.
³ God's light shined above me,
    so I could walk through the darkness.
⁴ I wish for the days when I was successful,
    when I enjoyed God's friendship and blessing in my home.
⁵ God All-Powerful was still with me then,
    and my children were all around me.
⁶ Life was so good that I washed my feet in cream
    and had plenty of the finest oils.^[a]

⁷ "Those were the days when I went to the city gate
    and sat in the public meeting of the elders.
⁸ When the young men saw me coming, they stepped out of my way.
    And the old men stood up to show they respected me.
⁹ The leaders of the people stopped talking
    and put their hands over their mouths.
¹⁰ Even the most important leaders were quiet,
    as if their tongues were stuck to the roof of their mouths.
¹¹ All who heard me said good things about me.
    Those who saw what I did praised me,
¹² because I helped the poor when they cried out.
    I helped the orphans who had no one to care for them.
¹³ People who were dying asked God to bless me.
    My help brought joy to widows in need.
¹⁴ Right living was my clothing.
    Fairness was my robe and turban.
¹⁵ I was like eyes for the blind,
    like feet for the crippled.
¹⁶ I was like a father to the poor.
    I helped people I didn't even know win their case in court.
¹⁷ I stopped evil people from abusing their power
    and saved innocent people from them.^[b]

¹⁸ "I always thought I would live a long life,
    growing old with my family around me.
¹⁹ I was like a healthy plant with roots that have plenty of water
    and branches that are wet with dew.
²⁰ I thought each new day would bring more honor
    and be full of new possibilities.^[c]

²¹ "In the past people listened to me.
    They waited quietly for my advice.
²² When I finished speaking, they had nothing more to say.
    My words fell gently on their ears.
²³ They waited for my words as they would for rain.
    They drank them in like rain in the springtime.
²⁴ I smiled at them, and they could hardly believe it.
    My smile made them feel better.
²⁵ I was their leader and made decisions about their future.
    I was like a king among his troops, comforting those who were sad.