17. For he attacks me with a stormand repeatedly wounds me without cause.
18. He will not let me catch my breath,but fills me instead with bitter sorrows.
19. If it’s a question of strength, he’s the strong one.If it’s a matter of justice, who dares to summon him to court?
20. Though I am innocent, my own mouth would pronounce me guilty.Though I am blameless, it would prove me wicked.
21. “I am innocent,but it makes no difference to me—I despise my life.
22. Innocent or wicked, it is all the same to God.That’s why I say, ‘He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.’
23. When a plague sweeps through,he laughs at the death of the innocent.
24. The whole earth is in the hands of the wicked,and God blinds the eyes of the judges.If he’s not the one who does it, who is?
25. “My life passes more swiftly than a runner.It flees away without a glimpse of happiness.
26. It disappears like a swift papyrus boat,like an eagle swooping down on its prey.
27. If I decided to forget my complaints,to put away my sad face and be cheerful,
28. I would still dread all the pain,for I know you will not find me innocent, O God.
29. Whatever happens, I will be found guilty.So what’s the use of trying?
30. Even if I were to wash myself with soapand clean my hands with lye,
31. you would plunge me into a muddy ditch,and my own filthy clothing would hate me.
32. “God is not a mortal like me,so I cannot argue with him or take him to trial.
33. If only there were a mediator between us,someone who could bring us together.
34. The mediator could make God stop beating me,and I would no longer live in terror of his punishment.
35. Then I could speak to him without fear,but I cannot do that in my own strength.