Job 30:2

Moreover, the strength of their ¹  hands – what use was it to me? Men whose strength ²  had perished;

Of what use was the strength of their hands to me, since their vigour had gone from them?

"Indeed, what good was the strength of their hands to me? Vigor had perished from them.

A lot of good they are to me––those worn–out wretches!

Why, I considered their fathers mere inexperienced pups. But they are worse than dogs--good for nothing, stray, mangy animals,

Of what use is the strength of their hands to me? all force is gone from them.

What could I gain from the strength of their hands? All their vigor is gone.

Indeed, what profit is the strength of their hands to me? Their vigor has perished.

Moreover, the strength of their ¹  hands – what use was it to me? Men whose strength ²  had perished;

¹ tn The reference is to the fathers of the scorners, who are here regarded as weak and worthless.

² tn The word כֶּלַח (kelakh) only occurs in Job 5:26; but the Arabic cognate gives this meaning “strength.” Others suggest כָּלַח (kalakh, “old age”), ֹכּל־חַיִל (kol-khayil, “all vigor”), כֹּל־לֵחַ (kol-leakh, “all freshness”), and the like. But there is no reason for such emendation.