Job 30
1But now they mock me,
men younger than I am,
whose fathers I would have refused to put
with my sheep dogs.2
3What use to me was the strength of their hands? Their vigor had left them.4
5Emaciated from poverty and hunger, they gnawed the dry land, the desolate wasteland by night.6
7They plucked mallow among the shrubs, and the roots of the broom tree were their food.8
9They were banished from human society; people shouted at them as if they were thieves.10
11They are living on the slopes of the wadis, among the rocks and in holes in the ground.12
13They bray among the shrubs; they huddle beneath the thistles.14
15Foolish men, without even a name. They were forced to leave the land.16
17Now I am mocked by their songs; I have become an object of scorn to them.18
19They despise me and keep their distance from me; they do not hesitate to spit in my face.20
21Because God has loosened my bowstring and oppressed me, they have cast off restraint in my presence.22
23The rabble rise up at my right; they trap my feet and construct their siege ramp against me.24
25They tear up my path; they contribute to my destruction, without anyone to help them.26
27They advance as through a gaping breach; they keep rolling in through the ruins.28
29Terrors are turned loose against me; they chase my dignity away like the wind, and my prosperity has passed by like a cloud.30
31Now my life is poured out before me, and days of suffering have seized me.32
33Night pierces my bones, but my gnawing pains never rest.34
35My clothing is distorted with great force; he chokes me by the neck of my garment.36
37He throws me into the mud, and I have become like dust and ashes.38
39I cry out to you for help, but you do not answer me; when I stand up, you merely look at me.40
41You have turned against me with cruelty; you harass me with your strong hand.42
43You lift me up on the wind and make me ride it; you scatter me in the storm.44
45Yes, I know that you will lead me to death — the place appointed for all who live.46
47Yet no one would stretch out his hand against a ruined person when he cries out to him for help because of his distress.48
49Have I not wept for those who have fallen on hard times? Has my soul not grieved for the needy?50
51But when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, darkness came.52
53I am churning within and cannot rest; days of suffering confront me.54
55I walk about blackened, but not by the sun. I stood in the assembly and cried out for help.56
57I have become a brother to jackals and a companion of ostriches.58
59My skin blackens and flakes off, and my bones burn with fever.60
61My lyre is used for mourning and my flute for the sound of weeping.62
3What use to me was the strength of their hands? Their vigor had left them.4
5Emaciated from poverty and hunger, they gnawed the dry land, the desolate wasteland by night.6
7They plucked mallow among the shrubs, and the roots of the broom tree were their food.8
9They were banished from human society; people shouted at them as if they were thieves.10
11They are living on the slopes of the wadis, among the rocks and in holes in the ground.12
13They bray among the shrubs; they huddle beneath the thistles.14
15Foolish men, without even a name. They were forced to leave the land.16
17Now I am mocked by their songs; I have become an object of scorn to them.18
19They despise me and keep their distance from me; they do not hesitate to spit in my face.20
21Because God has loosened my bowstring and oppressed me, they have cast off restraint in my presence.22
23The rabble rise up at my right; they trap my feet and construct their siege ramp against me.24
25They tear up my path; they contribute to my destruction, without anyone to help them.26
27They advance as through a gaping breach; they keep rolling in through the ruins.28
29Terrors are turned loose against me; they chase my dignity away like the wind, and my prosperity has passed by like a cloud.30
31Now my life is poured out before me, and days of suffering have seized me.32
33Night pierces my bones, but my gnawing pains never rest.34
35My clothing is distorted with great force; he chokes me by the neck of my garment.36
37He throws me into the mud, and I have become like dust and ashes.38
39I cry out to you for help, but you do not answer me; when I stand up, you merely look at me.40
41You have turned against me with cruelty; you harass me with your strong hand.42
43You lift me up on the wind and make me ride it; you scatter me in the storm.44
45Yes, I know that you will lead me to death — the place appointed for all who live.46
47Yet no one would stretch out his hand against a ruined person when he cries out to him for help because of his distress.48
49Have I not wept for those who have fallen on hard times? Has my soul not grieved for the needy?50
51But when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, darkness came.52
53I am churning within and cannot rest; days of suffering confront me.54
55I walk about blackened, but not by the sun. I stood in the assembly and cried out for help.56
57I have become a brother to jackals and a companion of ostriches.58
59My skin blackens and flakes off, and my bones burn with fever.60
61My lyre is used for mourning and my flute for the sound of weeping.62