Job 30

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 InnocenceISV — Job 30:31