1 “But now they mock me; men who are far younger than I, whose fathers I would have hated to entrust with my own sheep dogs. ISV — Job 30:1
2 Furthermore, what could I have gained from men whose strength is gone? ISV — Job 30:2
3 Unproductive due to poverty a30:3 Or want and hunger, they could only scratch in parched soil, devastated and desolated. ISV — Job 30:3
4 “They would pluck off herbs from salt marshes to eat; and roots of the broom shrub b30:4 i.e. a desert bush native to Israel whose bitter roots could be harvested by the destitute and eaten when food was scarce for food. ISV — Job 30:4
5 Driven away from human company, they were shouted at as though they were thieves. ISV — Job 30:5
6 They lived in the most dangerous of ravines, in holes in the ground, and among rocks. ISV — Job 30:6
7 They bray like donkeys c30:7 The Heb. lacks like donkeys among the bushes and huddle together under the desert weeds. ISV — Job 30:7
8 Sons of fools and of uncertain reputation, d30:8 The Or and without a name they have been driven from the land by scourging.” ISV — Job 30:8
9 “Now, I’ve become the object of their mocking melodies; e30:9 Lit. their neginnoth I’m nothing but a fool’s proverb to them! ISV — Job 30:9
10 They abhor me—they keep their distance from me; but they don’t refrain from spitting at the sight of me. ISV — Job 30:10
11 But God f30:11 Lit. he has loosened his cord and afflicted me; so they’ve cast off all restraints in my presence. ISV — Job 30:11
12 “A wretched crowd ambushes me to my right; they trip my feet; they build up their path of calamity for me. ISV — Job 30:12
13 They tear up my pathways; they profit from my destruction, and they need no help to do this! ISV — Job 30:13
14 They come like those who breach through a wall; as everything crashes around me they’ll roll on and on! ISV — Job 30:14
15 My greatest fears have overcome me; my honor is assaulted as though by a wind storm; my prosperity evaporates like a morning cloud.” ISV — Job 30:15
16 “Now, my soul pours itself out; the time of my affliction has taken control of me. ISV — Job 30:16
17 The night racks my bones; and the pain that gnaws on me will not rest. ISV — Job 30:17
18 My clothes are disheveled by his forceful treatment of me; g30:18 The Heb. lacks of me he restricts my movement like the collar of my cloak. ISV — Job 30:18
19 “He tossed me into the mire; I’ve become like dust and ashes. ISV — Job 30:19
20 I cry for help to you, but you won’t answer me; I stand still, but you only look at me. ISV — Job 30:20
21 You changed toward me, and now you’re cruel to me; with your mighty hand you are persecuting me; ISV — Job 30:21
22 you carried me off in a wind storm, making me ride on it while you toss me about as the storm roars around me. ISV — Job 30:22
23 I know that you’re about to kill me, so I’m about to go to the house that’s appointed for all the living.” ISV — Job 30:23
24 “Surely he won’t stretch his hand against the needy, will he, especially if they cry to him in their calamity? ISV — Job 30:24
25 Haven’t I wept for the one who is going through hard times? Haven’t I grieved for the needy? ISV — Job 30:25
26 I have hoped for good, but evil came instead; I have hoped for light, but darkness came. ISV — Job 30:26
27 I’m boiling mad inside, and I won’t remain silent; the time for my affliction to confront me has arrived. ISV — Job 30:27
28 “In growing darkness, I walked without sunlight; I stood in the congregation to cry for help. ISV — Job 30:28
29 I’ve become a brother to jackals, and a friend to ostriches. ISV — Job 30:29
30 My skin turns black all over me; and my bones seem burned from the heat. ISV — Job 30:30
31 But my harp is in mourning; my flute plays only songs for those who are weeping.” Job Asserts His Moral Innocence ISV — Job 30:31