16. And if he lets me live, it will be because I had the confidence to speak. No guilty person would dare meet God face to face.
17. Listen carefully to what I say. Let me explain.
18. I am ready now to defend myself. I will carefully present my arguments. I know I will be shown to be right.
19. If anyone can prove I am wrong, I will shut up and wait to die.
20. “God, just give me two things, and then I will not hide from you:
21. Stop punishing me, and don’t frighten me with your terrors.
22. Then call to me, and I will answer you. Or let me speak, and you answer me.
23. How many sins have I committed? What wrongs have I done? Show me where I went wrong or how I sinned.
24. God, why do you avoid me and treat me like your enemy?
25. Are you trying to scare me? I am only a leaf blowing in the wind. You are attacking a piece of straw!
26. You have a list of terrible charges against me. Are you making me suffer for the sins I did when I was young?
27. You have put chains on my feet. You watch every step I take. You see every move I make.