Surely I have purified my heart in vain; and I have washed my palms in innocence.
What is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what do we profit if we entreat Him?
For he has said, It is no benefit for a man when he is accepted with God.
For you say, What will it benefit you? What shall I profit more than if I had sinned?
If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will loosen my face and be cheerful,
I have been condemned; why should I labor in vain?
yet You will plunge me into the ditch, and my own clothes would abhor me.
The clean of palms and the pure of heart; who has not lifted up his soul to vanity and has not sworn deceit.
I will wash my palms in innocence; so I will go around Your altar, O Jehovah,
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
You have said, It is vanity to serve God. And, What unjust profit is it that we have kept His charge, and that we have walked as mourners before Jehovah of Hosts?
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners! And purify your hearts, double-souled ones!