Being weary in my soul, in moaning I will let loose upon myself my sayings; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul, being constrained.
And I will say to the lord, not me to be impious Teach! and why me have you so judged?
Or is it good to you that I should transgress? that I should forbid the works of your hands? the counsel and of the impious did you heed?
Or as a mortal sees— do you look? or as sees a man shall you see?
Or your existence— is it mankind? or your years— a man's?
For you searched out my lawlessnesses, and my sins you traced.
For you know that I did not act impious; but who is the one from out of your hands rescuing?
Your hands shaped me and made me; after these things in turning you smote me.
Remember that of clay you shaped me, and unto the earth me again you return.
Or not as milk me did you extract, and curdled me equal to cheese?
But skin and meat you put on me, and with bones and nerves you entwined me.
And life and mercy you put upon me, and by your overseeing you guarded my spirit.
Having these things in yourself, I know that all things you are able to do; is impossible and with you not one thing.
For if I should sin, you guard me; but from lawlessness not innocent me you have appointed.
For if I should be impious, alas; but if I might be just, I am not able to lift up the head, full for of dishonor I am.
For I am caught as a lion for slaughter; and again in turning awfully me you destroy;
renewing upon me my chastisement; anger and in great me you dealt with, and you brought against me trials.
Why then in the belly did you lead me out, and I did not die, that an eye me did not see?
and that as if one not being I became? For why from the womb unto the tomb was I not dismissed?
Or not little is the time of my existence? Allow me to rest a little!
before my going from where I shall not return, unto a land dark and dim;
unto a land of darkness eternal, where there is no brightness, nor seeing the life of mortals.