15. ‘I have sewed sackcloth over my skinand buried my brow in the dust.
16. My face is red with weeping,dark shadows ring my eyes;
17. yet my hands have been free of violenceand my prayer is pure.
18. ‘Earth, do not cover my blood;may my cry never be laid to rest!
19. Even now my witness is in heaven;my advocate is on high.
20. My intercessor is my friendas my eyes pour out tears to God;
21. on behalf of a man he pleads with Godas one pleads for a friend.
22. ‘Only a few years will passbefore I take the path of no return.