23When a sudden disaster brings death, he makes fun of the despair of innocent people. 24The earth is handed over to the wicked. He covers the faces of its judges. If he isn't the one [doing this], who is? 25"My days go by more quickly than a runner. They sprint away. They don't see anything good. 26They pass by quickly like boats made from reeds, like an eagle swooping down on its prey. 27[Even] if I say, 'I will forget my complaining; I will change my expression and smile,' 28I [still] dread everything I must suffer. I know that you won't declare me innocent. 29I've already been found guilty. Why should I work so hard for nothing? 30If I wash myself with lye soap and cleanse my hands with bleach, 31then you would plunge me into a muddy pit, and my own clothes would find me disgusting. 32A human like me cannot answer God, 'Let's take our case to court.' 33There is no mediator between us to put his hand on both of us. 34God should take his rod away from me, and he should not terrify me. 35Then I would speak and not be afraid of him. But I know that I am not like that.
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