[1] "I hate my own life, so I will complain freely. I am very bitter, so now I will speak. [2] I will say to God, 'Don't just say I am guilty! Tell me what you have against me. [3] Do you enjoy hurting me? Do you enjoy ignoring me while smiling at what evil people say? [4] Do you have human eyes? Do you see things the way people do? [5] Is your life as short as ours? Is your life as short as a man's life? [6] You look for my wrong and search for my sin. [7] You know I am innocent, but no one can save me from your power! [8] Your hands made me and shaped my body. But now they are closing around me and squeezing me to death! [9] Remember, you molded me like clay. Will you turn me into clay again? [10] You poured me out like milk. You spun me around and squeezed me like someone making cheese. [11] You put me together with bones and muscles, and then you clothed me with skin and flesh. [12] You gave me life and were very kind to me. You cared for me and watched over my spirit. [13] But this is what you hid in your heart. Now I know what you were planning for me. [14] If I sinned, you would be watching me so that you could punish me for doing wrong. [15] If I sin, I am guilty and should be cursed. But even when I am innocent, I cannot lift up my head. I am so ashamed because of all the troubles I have. [16] If I have any success and feel proud, you hunt me down like a lion and show your power over me. [17] You bring witness after witness to prove that I am wrong. Again and again you show your anger as you send army after army against me. [18] So why did you let me be born? I wish I had died before anyone saw me. [19] I wish I had never lived. I wish they had carried me from my mother's womb straight to the grave. [20] My life is almost finished. So leave me alone! Let me enjoy the little time I have left. [21] I am going soon to the land of no return, the place of death and darkness- [22] that land of darkest night, of shadows and confusion, where even the light is darkness.'"
