7. The things that my soul refused to touch before, now by my sorrow are my food.
8. Oh, that I might have my request and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!
9. Even that it would please God to destroy me, that he would let loose his hand and cut me off!
10. Then should my comfort grow; I would hold on to sorrow without mercy; for I have not contradicted the words of the Holy One.
11. What is my strength that I should hope? What is my end that I should prolong my life?
12. Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of steel?
13. Am I not doing all that I can, and even with all this I lack the power to do anything?
14. He that is afflicted deserves mercy from his friend; but he has forsaken the fear of the Almighty.
15. My brethren have lied to me as a brook; they passed away as an impetuous stream,
16. which was hidden by ice and covered by snow.
17. Which in the time of heat, they vanish; when they are heated, they disappear out of their place;
18. they turn aside out of the paths of their way; they go to nothing and perish.
19. The travelers of Tema looked; the traveling companies of Sheba waited for them.
20. They were put to shame because of their hope; they came there and found them confused.