8 the young men saw me and stepped aside and the old men rose to their feet;
8 The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up.
8 the young men saw me and withdrew, and the aged rose and stood;
8 Young and old greeted me with respect; I was honored by everyone in town.
8 The young men saw me and hid, And the aged arose and stood;
8 The young stepped aside when they saw me, and even the aged rose in respect at my coming.
9 the chief men refrained from speaking and covered their mouths with their hands;
9 The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth.
9 the princes refrained from talking and laid their hand on their mouth;
9 When I spoke, everyone listened;
9 The princes refrained from talking, And put their hand on their mouth;
9 The princes stood in silence and put their hands over their mouths.
(Read Job 29:7-17)
All sorts of people paid respect to Job, not only for the dignity of his rank, but for his personal merit, his prudence, integrity, and good management. Happy the men who are blessed with such gifts as these! They have great opportunities of honouring God and doing good, but have great need to watch against pride. Happy the people who are blessed with such men! it is a token for good to them. Here we see what Job valued himself by, in the day of his prosperity. It was by his usefulness. He valued himself by the check he gave to the violence of proud and evil men. Good magistrates must thus be a restraint to evil-doers, and protect the innocent; in order to this, they should arm themselves with zeal and resolution. Such men are public blessings, and resemble Him who rescues poor sinners from Satan. How many who were ready to perish, now are blessing Him! But who can show forth His praises? May we trust in His mercy, and seek to imitate His truth, justice, and love.
21 "People listened to me expectantly, waiting in silence for my counsel.
21 Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel.
21 "Men listened to me and waited and kept silence for my counsel.
21 "Men and women listened when I spoke, hung expectantly on my every word.
21 "Men listened to me and waited, And kept silence for my counsel.
21 "Everyone listened to my advice. They were silent as they waited for me to speak.
(Read Job 29:18-25)
Being thus honoured and useful, Job had hoped to die in peace and honour, in a good old age. If such an expectation arise from lively faith in the providence and promise of God, it is well; but if from conceit of our own wisdom, and dependence on changeable, earthly things, it is ill grounded, and turns to sin. Every one that has the spirit of wisdom, has not the spirit of government; but Job had both. Yet he had the tenderness of a comforter. This he thought upon with pleasure, when he was himself a mourner. Our Lord Jesus is a King who hates iniquity, and upon whom the blessing of a world ready to perish comes. To Him let us give ear.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 29:8
Commentary on Job 29:7-17
(Read Job 29:7-17)
All sorts of people paid respect to Job, not only for the dignity of his rank, but for his personal merit, his prudence, integrity, and good management. Happy the men who are blessed with such gifts as these! They have great opportunities of honouring God and doing good, but have great need to watch against pride. Happy the people who are blessed with such men! it is a token for good to them. Here we see what Job valued himself by, in the day of his prosperity. It was by his usefulness. He valued himself by the check he gave to the violence of proud and evil men. Good magistrates must thus be a restraint to evil-doers, and protect the innocent; in order to this, they should arm themselves with zeal and resolution. Such men are public blessings, and resemble Him who rescues poor sinners from Satan. How many who were ready to perish, now are blessing Him! But who can show forth His praises? May we trust in His mercy, and seek to imitate His truth, justice, and love.