Job 30:13

They destroy ¹  my path; they succeed in destroying me ²  without anyone assisting ³  them.

They break up my road; they succeed in destroying me— without anyone’s helping them.

"They break up my path, They profit from my destruction; No one restrains them.

They block my road and do everything they can to hasten my calamity, knowing full well that I have no one to help me.

They throw every kind of obstacle in my path, determined to ruin me--and no one lifts a finger to help me!

They have made waste my roads, with a view to my destruction; his bowmen come round about me;

They break up my path, they promote my calamity; no one restrains them.

They break up my path, They promote my calamity; They have no helper.

They destroy ¹  my path; they succeed in destroying me ²  without anyone assisting ³  them.

¹ tn This verb נָתְסוּ (natÿsu) is found nowhere else. It is probably a variant of the verb in Job 19:10. R. Gordis (Job, 333-34) notes the Arabic noun natsun (“thorns”), suggesting a denominative idea “they have placed thorns in my path.” Most take it to mean they ruin the way of escape.

² tc The MT has “they further my misfortune.” The line is difficult, with slight textual problems. The verb יֹעִילוּ (yo’ilu) means “to profit,” and so “to succeed” or “to set forward.” Good sense can be made from the MT as it stands, and many suggested changes are suspect.

³ tn The sense of “restraining” for “helping” was proposed by Dillmann and supported by G. R. Driver (see AJSL 52 [1935/36]: 163).