Read the Bible

² If only my life could once again
    be as it was when God watched over me.
³ God was always with me then
    and gave me light as I walked through the darkness.
⁴ Those were the days when I was prosperous,
    and the friendship of God protected my home.
⁵ Almighty God was with me then,
    and I was surrounded by all my children.
⁶ My cows and goats gave plenty of milk,
    and my olive trees grew in the rockiest soil.
⁷ Whenever the city elders met
    and I took my place among them,
⁸     young men stepped aside as soon as they saw me,
    and old men stood up to show me respect.
⁹ The leaders of the people would stop talking;
¹⁰     even the most important men kept silent.

¹¹ Everyone who saw me or heard of me
    had good things to say about what I had done.
¹² When the poor cried out, I helped them;
    I gave help to orphans who had nowhere to turn.
¹³ People who were in deepest misery praised me,
    and I helped widows find security.
¹⁴ I have always acted justly and fairly.
¹⁵ I was eyes for the blind,
    and feet for the lame.
¹⁶ I was like a father to the poor
    and took the side of strangers in trouble.
¹⁷ I destroyed the power of cruel men
    and rescued their victims.

¹⁸ I always expected to live a long life
    and to die at home in comfort.
¹⁹ I was like a tree whose roots always have water
    and whose branches are wet with dew.
²⁰ Everyone was always praising me,
    and my strength never failed me.
²¹ When I gave advice, people were silent
    and listened carefully to what I said;
²²     they had nothing to add when I had finished.
My words sank in like drops of rain;
²³     everyone welcomed them
    just as farmers welcome rain in spring.
²⁴ I smiled on them when they had lost confidence;
    my cheerful face encouraged them.
²⁵ I took charge and made the decisions;
    I led them as a king leads his troops,
    and gave them comfort in their despair.