Job 30:1-31 TLB

[1] "But now those younger than I deride me-young men whose fathers are less than my dogs. [2] Oh, they have strong backs all right, but they are useless, stupid fools. [3] They are gaunt with famine and have been cast out into deserts and the wastelands, desolate and gloomy. [4] They eat roots and leaves, [5] having been driven from civilization. Men shouted after them as after thieves. [6] So now they live in frightening ravines, and in caves, and among the rocks. [7] They sound like animals among the bushes, huddling together for shelter beneath the nettles. [8] These sons of theirs have also turned out to be fools, yes, children of no name, outcasts of civilization. [9] "And now I have become the subject of their ribald song! I am a joke among them! [10] They despise me and won't come near me, and don't mind spitting in my face. [11] For God has placed my life in jeopardy. These young men, having humbled me, now cast off all restraint before me. [12] This rabble trips me and lays traps in my path. [13] They block my road and do everything they can to hasten my calamity, knowing full well that I have no one to help me. [14] They come at me from all directions. They rush upon me when I am down. [15] "I live in terror now. They hold me in contempt, and my prosperity has vanished as a cloud before a strong wind. [16] My heart is broken. Depression haunts my days. [17] My weary nights are filled with pain as though something were relentlessly gnawing at my bones. [18] All night long I toss and turn, and my garments bind about me. [19] God has thrown me into the mud. I have become as dust and ashes. [20] "I cry to you, O God, but you don't answer me. I stand before you and you don't bother to look. [21] You have become cruel toward me and persecute me with great power and effect. [22] You throw me into the whirlwind and dissolve me in the storm. [23] And I know that your purpose for me is death. [24] I expected my fall to be broken, just as one who falls stretches out his hand or cries for help in his calamity. [25] "And did I not weep for those in trouble? Wasn't I deeply grieved for the needy? [26] I therefore looked for good to come. Evil came instead. I waited for the light. Darkness came. [27] My heart is troubled and restless. Waves of affliction have come upon me. [28] I am black but not from sunburn. I stand up and cry to the assembly for help. But I might as well save my breath, for I am considered a brother to jackals and a companion to ostriches. [30] My skin is black and peeling. My bones burn with fever. [31] The voice of joy and gladness has turned to mourning.