18. He doesn’t let me catch my breathbut soaks me with bitter experiences.
19. If it is a matter of strength, look, He is the Mighty One! If it is a matter of justice, who can summon Him?
20. Even if I were in the right, my own mouth would condemn me; if I were blameless, my mouth would declare me guilty.
21. Though I am blameless,I no longer care about myself;I renounce my life.
22. It is all the same. Therefore I say,“He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.”
23. When disaster brings sudden death,He mocks the despair of the innocent.
24. The earth is handed over to the wicked;He blindfolds its judges. If it isn’t He, then who is it?
25. My days fly by faster than a runner; they flee without seeing any good.
26. They sweep by like boats made of papyrus,like an eagle swooping down on its prey.
27. If I said, “I will forget my complaint,change my expression, and smile,”
28. I would still live in terror of all my pains. I know You will not acquit me.
29. Since I will be found guilty, why should I labor in vain?
30. If I wash myself with snow,and cleanse my hands with lye,
31. then You dip me in a pit of mud,and my own clothes despise me!
32. For He is not a man like me, that I can answer Him, that we can take each other to court.
33. There is no one to judge between us,to lay his hand on both of us.
34. Let Him take His rod away from meso His terror will no longer frighten me.