23. When the scourge slays suddenly,he scoffs at the despair of the innocent.
24. The earth is given into the hands of the wicked;he covers the faces of its judges.If it is not he, who then is it?
25. My days are swifter than a runner,they flee away; they see no happiness;
26. They shoot by like skiffs of reed,like an eagle swooping upon its prey.
27. If I say: I will forget my complaining,I will lay aside my sadness and be of good cheer,
28. Then I am in dread of all my pains;I know that you will not hold me innocent.
29. It is I who will be accounted guilty;why then should I strive in vain?
30. If I should wash myself with soapand cleanse my hands with lye,
31. Yet you would plunge me in the ditch,so that my garments would abhor me.
32. For he is not a man like myself, that I should answer him,that we should come together in judgment.
33. Would that there were an arbiter between us,who could lay his hand upon us both
34. and withdraw his rod from me,So that his terrors did not frighten me;