15. Even if I was right, I could not answer him.I could only beg God, my Judge, for mercy.
16. I might call to him. But even if he answered,I still would not believe he would listen to me.
17. God would crush me with a storm.He would multiply my hurts for no reason.
18. He would not let me catch my breath.He would overwhelm me with misery.
19. When it comes to strength, God is stronger than I.And when it comes to justice, no one can accuse him!
20. Even if I were right, my own mouth would say I was wrong.If I were innocent, my mouth would say I was guilty.
21. “I am innocent.But I don’t think about myself.I hate my own life.
22. It is all the same. That is why I say,‘God destroys both the innocent and the evil people.’
23. A whip may bring sudden death.And God will laugh when good people suffer.
24. When land falls into the hands of evil people,God covers the judges’ faces so they can’t see it.If it is not God who does this, then who is it?
25. “My days go by faster than a runner.They fly away without my seeing even a little joy.
26. They glide past like boats made of papyrus plants.My days are like eagles that swoop down on animals they attack.
27. I might say, ‘I will forget my complaint.I will change the look on my face, and smile.’
28. But I will still dread all my suffering.I know you will hold me guilty.
29. I have already been found guilty.So why should I struggle for no reason?
30. I might wash myself with soap.And I might even wash my hands with strong soap.
31. But you would push me into a dirty pit.And even my clothes would hate me.