19. If strength be demanded, he is most strong: if equity of judgment, no man dare bear witness for me.
20. If I would justify myself, my own mouth shall condemn me: if I would shew myself innocent, he shall prove me wicked.
21. Although I should be simple, even this my soul shall be ignorant of, and I shall be weary of my life.
22. One thing there is that I have spoken, both the innocent and the wicked he consumeth.
23. If he scourge, let him kill at once, and not laugh at the pains of the innocent.
24. The earth is given into the hand of the wicked, he covereth the face of the judges thereof: and if it be not he, who is it then?
25. My days have been swifter than a post: they have fled away and have not seen good.
26. They have passed by as ships carrying fruits, as an eagle flying to the prey.
27. If I say: I will not speak so: I change my face, and am tormented with sorrow.
28. I feared all my works, knowing that thou didst not spare the offender.
29. But if so also I am wicked, why have I laboured in vain?
30. If I be washed as it were with snow waters, and my hands shall shine ever so clean:
31. Yet thou shalt plunge me in filth, and my garments shall abhor me,