כִּי אֲמַלֵּט עָנִי מְשַׁוֵּעַ וְיָתוֹם וְלֹא עֹזֵר לוֹ: בִּרְכַּת אֹבֵד עָלַי תָּבֹא וְלֵב אַלְמָנָה אַרְנִן: צֶדֶק לָבַשְׁתִּי וַיִּלְבָּשֵׁנִי כִּמְעִיל וְצָנִיף מִשְׁפָּטִי: עֵינַיִם הָיִיתִי לַעִוֵּר וְרַגְלַיִם לַפִּסֵּחַ אָנִי: אָב אָנֹכִי לָאֶבְיוֹנִים וְרִב לֹא יָדַעְתִּי אֶחְקְרֵהוּ: וָאֲשַׁבְּרָה מְתַלְּעוֹת עַוָּל וּמִשִּׁנָּיו אַשְׁלִיךְ טָרֶף:
For I saved the poor who cried out, the orphan who had none to help. I received the blessing of the lost; I gladdened the heart of the widow. I clothed myself in righteousness and it robed me; justice was my cloak and turban. I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. I was a parent to the needy, and I looked into the case of the stranger. I broke the jaws of the wrongdoer, and I wrested prey from the wrongdoer's teeth. [JPS translation. Edited for gender neutrality]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. How did Job clothe himself in righteousness and justice?
2. How does this text define justice? Do you agree?
1. How did Job clothe himself in righteousness and justice?
2. How does this text define justice? Do you agree?
Time Period: Biblical (early ancestors to 165 BCE)