[21] “Although I am blameless, I have no concern for myself; I despise my own life. [22] It is all the same; that is why I say, ‘He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.’ [23] When a scourge brings sudden death, he mocks the despair of the innocent. [24] When a land falls into the hands of the wicked, he blindfolds its judges. If it is not he, then who is it? [25] “My days are swifter than a runner; they fly away without a glimpse of joy. [26] They skim past like boats of papyrus, like eagles swooping down on their prey. [27] If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression, and smile,’ [28] I still dread all my sufferings, for I know you will not hold me innocent. [29] Since I am already found guilty, why should I struggle in vain? [30] Even if I washed myself with soap and my hands with cleansing powder, [31] you would plunge me into a slime pit so that even my clothes would detest me. [32] “He is not a mere mortal like me that I might answer him, that we might confront each other in court. [33] If only there were someone to mediate between us, someone to bring us together, [34] someone to remove God’s rod from me, so that his terror would frighten me no more. [35] Then I would speak up without fear of him, but as it now stands with me, I cannot.
