[1] "My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. [2] I will say unto God: 'Do not condemn me; show me why Thou contendest with me. [3] Is it good unto Thee that Thou shouldest oppress, that Thou shouldest despise the work of Thine hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked? [4] Hast Thou eyes of flesh, or seest Thou as man seeth? [5] Are Thy days as the days of man? Are Thy years as man's days, [6] that Thou inquirest after mine iniquity, and searchest after my sin? [7] Thou knowest that I am not wicked, and there is none that can deliver out of Thine hand. [8] "'Thine hands have made me and fashioned me together round about; yet Thou dost destroy me. [9] Remember, I beseech Thee, that Thou hast made me as the clay. And wilt Thou bring me into dust again? [10] Hast Thou not poured me out as milk, and curdled me like cheese? [11] Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and hast protected me with bones and sinews. [12] Thou hast granted me life and favor, and Thy visitation hath preserved my spirit. [13] "'And these things hast Thou hid in Thine heart; I know that this is with Thee: [14] If I sin, then Thou markest me, and Thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity. [15] If I be wicked, woe unto me! And if I be righteous, yet will I not lift up my head. I am full of confusion; therefore see Thou mine affliction, [16] for it increaseth. Thou huntest me as a fierce lion, and again Thou showest Thyself marvelous upon me. [17] Thou renewest Thy witnesses against me, and increasest Thine indignation upon me; changes and war are against me. [18] Why then hast Thou brought me forth out of the womb? Oh that I had given up the ghost, and no eye had seen me! [19] I should have been as though I had not been; I should have been carried from the womb to the grave. [20] Are not my days few? Cease then and let me alone, that I may take comfort a little [21] before I go whence I shall not return, even to the land of darkness and the shadow of death" [22] a land of darkness, as darkness itself, and of the shadow of death without any order, and where the light is as darkness.'"
