My body is clothed with worms and dirty scabs; my skin is broken and festering.

If I summoned him, and he answered me, I would not believe that he would be listening to my voice –

Although I am innocent, my mouth would condemn me; although I am blameless, it would declare me perverse.

They glide by like reed boats, like an eagle that swoops down on its prey.

If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression and be cheerful,’

Then would I speak and not fear him, but it is not so with me.

“I am weary of my life; I will complain without restraint; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.

I will say to God, ‘Do not condemn me; tell me why you are contending with me.’

although you know that I am not guilty, and that there is no one who can deliver out of your hand?

You bring new witnesses against me, and increase your anger against me; relief troops come against me.

if iniquity is in your hand – put it far away, and do not let evil reside in your tents.

“But now, ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the sky and they will tell you.

If he holds back the waters, then they dry up; if he releases them, they destroy the land.

But man dies and is powerless; he expires – and where is he?

He does not expect to escape from darkness; he is marked for the sword;

he lived in ruined towns and in houses where no one lives, where they are ready to crumble into heaps.

But I would strengthen you with my words; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.

Because you have closed their minds to understanding, therefore you will not exalt them.

Fire resides in his tent; over his residence burning sulfur is scattered.

‘Surely such is the residence of an evil man; and this is the place of one who has not known God.’”