[1] "I hate my own life. So I will complain without holding back. And I will speak because I am so unhappy. [2] I will say to God: Do not hold me guilty. But tell me what you have against me. [3] Does it make you happy to trouble me? Don't you care about me, the work of your own hands? Are you happy with the plans of evil people? [4] Do you have human eyes? Do you see as a man sees? [5] Are your days like the days of man? Are your years like the years of a man? [6] You look for evil I have done and search for my sin. [7] But you know I am not guilty. And you know no one can save me from your power. [8] "Your hands shaped me and made me. But now you turn around and destroy me. [9] Remember that you molded me like a piece of clay. Now will you turn me back into dust? [10] You formed me in my mother's womb as cheese is formed from milk. [11] You put skin and flesh on me like clothing. You sewed me together with bones and muscles. [12] You gave me life and showed me kindness. And in your care you watched over my life. [13] "But in your heart you hid other plans. I know this is what was in your mind: [14] If I sinned, you would be watching me. You would not let my sin go unpunished. [15] How terrible it will be for me if I am guilty! But even if I am right, I cannot lift my head. I am full of shame. It is as if I am drowning in my pain. [16] If I hold up my head, you hunt me like a lion. And again you show your terrible power against me. [17] You bring new witnesses against me. You increase your anger against me. Your armies come against me like waves of the sea. [18] "So why did you allow me to be born? I wish I had died before anyone saw me. [19] I wish I had never been born. Or I wish I had been carried straight from birth to the grave! [20] My few days of life are almost over. Leave me alone so I can have a moment of joy. [21] Soon I will leave and not return. I will go to the land of darkness and gloom. [22] It is the land of darkest night. It is the land of gloom and confusion. Even the light is darkness there."
