8 If only my request would be granted

and 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 pain

that I have not deniedF the words of the Holy One.v

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.