Job 30:16-31 ▼

16 And now within me my soul is poured out; days of affliction seize me.

17 Night pierces my bones from upon me, and my gnawing pains will not lie down.

18 With abundance of strength He grasps my garment; by the collar of my tunic He seizes me.

19 He has cast me into the mire, and I have become like dust and ashes.

20 I cry out to You, but You do not answer me; I stand up, and You gaze at me.

21 You have turned to be cruel toward me; with the strength of Your hand You oppose me.

22 You lift me up to the wind and make me ride it, You toss me about in the storm.

23 For I know that You will bring me to death, and to the house of appointment to all the living.

24 Surely one does not stretch out a hand against the oppressed, when in his ruin he cries out to him.

25 If not did I weep for the harshness of day, while my soul grieved for the needy one?

26 And, I hoped for good, and evil came; and I waited for light, and darkness came.

27 My bowels have boiled and they do not rest; days of affliction confront me.

28 I go about darkened, not by the sun; I rise up in the assembly and cry out.

29 I have become a brother to jackals, and a companion to the daughters of the ostrich.

30 My skin turns black and falls from me, and my bone burns with heat.

31 And my harp is changed to mourning, and my flute to the voice of weeping.