21 “Men listened to me and waited,
And kept silence for my counsel.

22 After my words they did not speak again,
And my speech settled on them as dew.

23 They waited for me as for the rain,
And they opened their mouth wide as for ^athe spring rain. ‡

24 If I mocked at them, they did not believe it,
And the light of my countenance they did not cast down.

25 I chose the way for them, and sat as chief;
So I dwelt as a king in the army,
As one who comforts mourners.