19 If He works by force, He is mighty; if by judgment, who shall bring me to Him?

20 If I make excuses, my own mouth will accuse me; if I am innocent, then He will find me guilty.

21 I am innocent; I do not want to know my soul, I despise my life.

22 All are one; therefore I said that He destroys both the blameless and the guilty.

23 If he smites him with a whip suddenly, he laughs at the torture of the innocent.

24 The land is given into the hands of the wicked; He covers the faces of its judges. If not He, then who?

25 My days are faster than a messenger, they run, they see no good,

26 They rush like light boats, like an eagle pursues prey.

27 If you say to me, 'I will forget my complaints, I will put off my gloomy countenance, and I will be of good cheer;

28 then I tremble at all my afflictions, knowing that thou wilt not declare me innocent.

29 But if I am guilty, why do I languish in vain?

30 Though I also wash myself with the water of the snow, and cleanse my hands perfectly,

31 then also thou shalt sink me into the mud, and my garments abhor me.

32 For he is not a man like me, that I may answer him, and go with him to judgment.

33 There is no mediator between us, who would lay his hand on both of us.

34 Let him draw away his rod from me, and let not his fear terrify me,

35 and then I will speak, and I will not fear him, for I am not so in myself.

Chapter 10

1 My life is abhorrent to my soul; I will give myself over to my sorrow; I will speak in the sorrow of my soul.

2 I will say to God, Do not accuse me; tell me why you are fighting with me?

3 Is it good for thee that thou oppressest, that thou despise the work of thy hands, and that thou dost send light upon the counsel of the wicked?