15. “I have sewed rough cloth over my skin to show my sadnessand have buried my face in the dust.
16. My face is red from crying;I have dark circles around my eyes.
17. Yet my hands have never done anything cruel,and my prayer is pure.
18. “Earth, please do not cover up my blood.Don’t let my cry ever stop being heard!
19. Even now I have one who speaks for me in heaven;the one who is on my side is high above.
20. The one who speaks for me is my friend.My eyes pour out tears to God.
21. He begs God on behalf of a humanas a person begs for his friend.
22. “Only a few years will passbefore I go on the journey of no return.