For you said, What advantage will it be unto you? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin?
If I am wicked, woe unto me; and if I am righteous, yet can I not lift up my head. I am full of disgrace; therefore see my affliction;
What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?
For what portion of God is there from above? and what inheritance of the Almighty from on high?
For he has said, It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.
I will answer you, and your companions with you.
I have sinned; what shall I do unto you, O you preserver of men? why have you set me as a mark against you, so that I am a burden to myself?
Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence.
You have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked in mourning before the LORD of hosts?