15. Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication to my judge.
16. If I had called, and he had answered me; yet I would not believe that he had hearkened to my voice.
17. For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause.
18. He will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness.
19. If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?
20. If I justify myself, my own mouth will condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, that also will prove me perverse.
21. Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life.
22. This is one thing, therefore I said it, he destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.
23. If the scourge shall slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent.
24. The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of its judges; if not, where, and who is he?
25. Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good.
26. They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey.
27. If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself:
28. I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent.
29. If I am wicked, why then do I labor in vain?
30. If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;
31. Yet wilt thou plunge me in the ditch, and my own clothes shall abhor me.
32. For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment.
33. Neither is there any judge between us, that might lay his hand upon us both.
34. Let him take away his rod from me, and let not his fear terrify me: