Even though I am innocent, I can only beg for mercy.

Though I Am Innocent

15 Even though I am innocent, I can only beg for mercy.

16 And if God came into court when I called him, he would not hear my case.

17 He would strike me with a storm9.17 strike … storm: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text. and increase my injuries for no reason at all.

18 Before I could get my breath, my miseries would multiply.

19 God is much stronger than I am, and who would call me into court to give me justice?

20 Even if I were innocent, God would prove me wrong.

21 I am not guilty, but I no longer care what happens to me.

22 What difference does it make? God destroys the innocent along with the guilty.

23 When a good person dies a sudden death, God sits back and laughs.

24 And who else but God blindfolds the judges, then lets the wicked take over the earth?

My Life Is Speeding By 

25 My life is speeding by, without a hope of happiness.

26 Each day passes swifter than a sailing ship or an eagle swooping down.

27 Sometimes I try to be cheerful and to stop complaining, 28 but my sufferings frighten me,

because I know that God still considers me guilty.

29 So what's the use of trying to prove my innocence?

30 Even if I washed myself with the strongest soap, 31 God would throw me into a pit

of stinking slime, leaving me disgusting to my clothes.

32 God isn't a mere human like me. I can't put him on trial.

33 Who could possibly judge between the two of us?

34 Can someone snatch away the stick God carries to frighten me?

35 Then I could speak up without fear of him, but for now, I cannot speak.