Job 30
1BUT now the meanest have me in derision: now, those undertake to admonish me; whose fathers I held in contempt: whom I did not think worthy the dogs of my flocks.
2What indeed was the strength of their hands to me? Destruction would have been lost upon them.
3By reason of want and famine it was useless. Already they were fleeing ineffectually from distress and misery—
4they were crowding round the samphire on the sounding shore; and feeding on sea-weeds as their food; despicable and contemned and in want of everything good, they through extreme want were chewing even the roots of trees.
5Against me thieves have risen up,
6whose habitations were the clefts of rocks.
7Amidst this tuneful choir, are to be heard the brawls of them who lived under hedges.
8A race of fools and despicable wretches, whose name and honour are extinguished from the earth.
9But now I am become their song: and they have me for their byword:
10and have abhorred me and stood at a distance: and have not spared to spit in my face.
11Because He opened His quiver and afflicted me: therefore they have cast off the restraint, which they were under at my presence.
12At the right of their brood they have taken their stand: they have stretched out their foot; and vindicated against me their destructive ways.
13My ways are destroyed; for I am stripped of my robe. With His darts He hath pierced me—
14He hath used me at His pleasure. I am become loathsome by sorrows.
15My sorrows roll back upon me. My hope is gone like a breath, and like a cloud, my safety.
16And now my soul is melting within me. Days of sorrow take hold of me; and at night my bones are melted and my sinews are quite dissolved.
18With great force He took hold of my garment; and girded me about like the collar of my vest.
19Thou hast accounted me as dirt: and my portion is in dust and ashes.
20Though I have cried to Thee, Thou hearest me not: but they stood up and observed me;
21and came upon me without mercy. Thou hast chastised me with a heavy hand;
22and placed me among sorrows; and cast me away far from safety.
23For I know that death will destroy me: for earth is the house for every mortal.
24For O! how I wish that I might lay violent hands on myself; or beseech another to do this for me.
25As for me I indeed wept for everyone in trouble; and sighed, when I saw a man in distress.
26But when I expected prosperity: behold days of affliction came upon me.
27My bowels have boiled and could not rest: days of misery have prevented me.
28I have gone mourning without restraint; and have stood in the congregation and cried.
29I have been made a brother to jackals, and a companion to ostriches.
30My skin is become very black; and my bones are burning with heat.
31My kithara is turned into mourning, and my song to wailing for myself.