13If God will not withdraw His anger, the proud helpers bow under Him. 14How much less shall I answer Him, and choose out my words to reason with Him? 15Though I were righteous, yet I would not answer, but I must appeal to my Judge for mercy. 16If I had called, and He had answered me; yet would I not believe that He had heard my voice. 17For He breaks me with a tempest, and multiplies my wounds without cause. 18He will not allow me to catch my breath, but fills me with bitterness. 19If the issue is of strength, lo, He is strong; and if of justice, who can correct Him? 20If I try to justify myself, my own mouth shall condemn me; if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me guilty.

21If I were perfect, yet would I not know my own soul; I would despise my life. 22This is one thing; therefore, I said, He destroys both the perfect and the wicked. 23If the scourge kills suddenly, He will laugh at the trial of the innocent. 24The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; He covers the faces of its judges; if not, where, and Who is He? 25Now my days are swifter than a post; they flee away, they see no good. 26They are passed away as the swift ships; as the eagle that hastens to the prey. 27If I say, I will forget my complaint, dispense with my heaviness, and comfort myself, 28I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that You will not hold me innocent.

29If I am regarded as wicked, then why do I labor in vain? 30If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands ever so clean; 31Yet You would still plunge me in the ditch, and my own clothes shall abhor (and refuse to cover) me. 32For He is not a man, as I am, that I should answer Him, and we should come together in judgment. 33Neither is there any arbiter between us, who that place his hand upon both of us. 34Let Him take His rod away from me, and let not His fear and dread terrify me: 35Then would I utter my defense, and not fear Him; but it is not so with me.