Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence.
I will wash my hands in innocence: so will I go about your altar, O LORD:
For he has said, It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.
What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?
For you said, What advantage will it be unto you? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin?
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
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?
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
He that has clean hands, and a pure heart; who has not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
Yet shall you plunge me in the ditch, and my own clothes shall abhor me.
If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself:
If I am wicked, why then labor I in vain?