Surely in vain I have cleansed my heart, and washed my hands in innocence,
I will wash my hands in innocence, so I will encompass thine altar, O LORD,
For thou should not say, There shall be no visitation to a man, [whereas] visitation [is] to him from LORD.
What is the Almighty that we should serve him? And what profit should we have, if we pray to him?
That thou said, What advantage will it be to thee? [And], What profit shall I have more than if I had sinned?
Approach God and he will approach you. Cleanse the hands, ye sinners, and purify the hearts, ye double-minded.
Ye have said, It is vain to serve God, and what profit is it that we have kept his charge, and that we have walked mournfully before LORD of hosts?
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
He who has clean hands, and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, and has not sworn deceitfully.
yet thou will plunge me in the ditch, and my own clothes shall abhor me.
If I say, I will forget my complaint. I will put off my [sad] countenance, and be of good cheer,
I shall be condemned. Why then do I labor in vain?