5. Do oxen and wild donkeyscry out in distressunless they are hungry?
6. What is food without salt?What is more tastelessthan the white of an egg?
7. That's how my food tastes,and my appetite is gone.
8-9. How I wish that Godwould answer my prayerand do away with me.
10. Then I would be comforted,knowing that in all my painI have never disobeyed God.
11. Why should I patiently hopewhen my strength is gone?
12. I am not strong as stoneor bronze,
13. and I have finally reachedthe end of my rope.
14. My friends, I am desperate,and you should help me,even if I no longer respectGod All-Powerful.
15-16. But you are treacherousas streams that swellwith melting snow,
17. then suddenly disappearin the summer heat.
18. I am like a caravan,lost in the desertwhile searching for water.
19. Caravans from Tema and Sheba
20. thought they would find water.But they were disappointed,
21. just as I am with you.Only one look at my suffering,and you run away scared.