17. For He breaketh me in a sa'arah (tempest, storm), and multiplieth my wounds without cause.
18. He will not allow me to take my ruach (breath), but filleth me with bitterness.
19. If I speak of ko'ach, hinei, He is mighty, and if of mishpat, who can give Him a court summons?
20. If etzdak (I am justified, in the right), mine own mouth would condemn me; if I say, I am blameless, He would prove me perverse.
21. Though I were blameless, yet would I not know my nefesh; I would despise my life.
22. This is one thing; therefore I said it, He destroyeth the tam (blameless) and the rasha (wicked).
23. If the shot (scourge) slay suddenly, He laugheth at the melting away [in anguish] of the nekiyim (innocent ones, the guiltless ones).
24. Eretz is given into the yad of the resha; He blindfoldeth the faces of the shofetim (judges) thereof; if not, then, who doeth it?
25. Now my yamim are swifter than a runner; they flee away, they see no tovah.
26. They slip by like oniyyot (boats) of reed; as the nesher that swoopeth down on the prey.
27. If I say, I will forget my si'akh (complaint), I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself,
28. I am afraid of all my sorrows; I have da'as that Thou wilt not hold me innocent.
29. If I be wicked, why then labor I in hevel (vain)?
30. If I wash myself with sheleg (snow), and make my hands clean with lye,
31. Yet shalt Thou plunge me in the shachat (slime pit), and mine own clothes shall abhor me.