In truth I have no help in me: In truth translates a word that occurs elsewhere only in Numbers 17.13. There it is translated as introducing a question. The remainder of the line is literally “not my help within me,” which appears most likely to mean “I am unable to help myself.” Many modern translations understand this line to be a question; for example, New English Bible has “Oh how shall I find help within myself?” and New Jerusalem Bible “Can I support myself on nothing?” Syriac and Vulgate render it “behold there is no….” Dahood combines the first two Hebrew words of the line to get “Should I increase a hundredfold.” The basic meaning is that Job is at the end of his power to endure.

The two lines are parallel in sense. And any resource is driven from me: resource translates the same word rendered “success” by Revised Standard Version in 5.12. In the present verse it means help, counsel, support. Some scholars suggest a modification to the text to get deliverance or salvation, which is reflected in Good News Translation as “strength left to save myself.” In many languages the passive is driven from me will have to be replaced by an active construction; for example, “I cannot depend on anyone to support me,” “there is no one else to strengthen me,” or “there is no one to rescue me.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, Wiliam. A Handbook on Job. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1992. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .