deliver me from the hand of the enemy; redeem me from the grasp of the ruthless’?

Teach me, and I will be silent. Help me understand how I have erred.

How painful are honest words! But what does your argument prove?

Do you intend to correct my words, and treat as wind my cry of despair?

You would even cast lots for an orphan and barter away your friend.

But now, please look at me. Would I lie to your face?

Reconsider; do not be unjust. Reconsider, for my righteousness is at stake.

Like a slave he longs for shade; like a hireling he waits for his wages.

So I am allotted months of futility, and nights of misery are appointed to me.

When I lie down I think: ‘When will I get up?’ But the night drags on, and I toss and turn until dawn.

My flesh is clothed with worms and encrusted with dirt; my skin is cracked and festering.

If He takes away, who can stop Him? Who dares to ask Him, ‘What are You doing?’

If I summoned Him and He answered me, I do not believe He would listen to my voice.

For He would crush me with a tempest and multiply my wounds without cause.

He does not let me catch my breath, but overwhelms me with bitterness.

If it is a matter of strength, He is indeed mighty! If it is a matter of justice, who can summon Him?

Though I am blameless, I have no concern for myself; I despise my own life.

When the scourge brings sudden death, He mocks the despair of the innocent.

They sweep by like boats of papyrus, like an eagle swooping down on its prey.

If I were to say, ‘I will forget my complaint and change my expression and smile,’

Since I am already found guilty, why should I labor in vain?

If I should wash myself with snow and cleanse my hands with lye,

then You would plunge me into the pit, and even my own clothes would despise me.

Nor is there a mediator between us, to lay his hand upon us both.

Let Him remove His rod from me, so that His terror will no longer frighten me.