Surelyin vainI have keptmy heartpureAnd washedmy handsin innocence;
Whois the Almighty,that we should serveHim, And whatwould we gainifwe entreatHim?'
"For he has said,It profitsa mannothingWhen he is pleasedwith God.'
"For you say,Whatadvantagewill it be to You? Whatprofitwill I have, morethanif I had sinned?'
"ThoughI say,'I will forgetmy complaint,I will leaveoff my [sad] countenanceand be cheerful,'
"I am accounted wicked,Whythenshould I toilin vain?
YetYou would plungeme into the pit,And my own clotheswould abhorme.
He who has cleanhandsand a pureheart,Whohas not liftedup his soulto falsehoodAnd has not sworndeceitfully.
I shall washmy handsin innocence,And I will goaboutYour altar,O LORD,
Createin me a cleanheart,O God,And renewa steadfastspiritwithinme.
"You have said,It is vainto serveGod;and whatprofitis it that we have keptHis charge,and that we have walkedin mourningbeforethe LORDof hosts?
Drawnearto Godand He will draw nearto you. Cleanseyour hands,you sinners;and purifyyour hearts,you double-minded.
