5. Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grassor an ox low over its fodder?
6. Is bland food eaten without salt?Is there flavor in an egg white?
7. I refuse to touch them;they are like contaminated food.
8. If only my request would be grantedand God would provide what I hope for:
9. that He would decide to crush me,to unleash His power and cut me off!
10. It would still bring me comfort,and I would leap for joy in unrelenting painthat I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
11. What strength do I have that I should continue to hope?What is my future, that I should be patient?
12. Is my strength that of stone,or my flesh made of bronze?
13. Since I cannot help myself,the hope for success has been banished from me.
14. A despairing man should receive loyalty from his friends, even if he abandons the fear of the Almighty.
15. My brothers are as treacherous as a wadi,as seasonal streams that overflow
16. and become darkened because of ice,and the snow melts into them.