If I am condemned— why should I struggle in vain?
If I be wicked, Why then labour I in vain?
I shall be held guilty and be condemned; why then should I labor in vain [to appear innocent]?
I shall be condemned; Why then do I labor in vain?
I myself am thought guilty; why have I tried so hard in vain?
Yet, if I am also just as impious, why have I labored in vain?
But if so also, I am wicked, why have I laboured in vain?
I will say to God, ‘Do not condemn me; tell me why You contend with me.’
though You know that I am not guilty, yet there is no one to deliver from Your hand?
“Behold, I know your thoughts, the schemes by which you wrong me.
Yet, He has found fault with me; He considers me His enemy.
Even if I were innocent, my mouth would condemn me. If I were guiltless, it will declare me perverse.
It is all the same, therefore I say, ‘He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.’
But Adonai will not leave him in his hand, or let him be condemned when judged.
Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure, and washed my hands in innocence.
you say, ‘I am innocent— surely His anger is turned away from me?’ See, I will pass judgment on you, since you say: ‘I haven’t sinned!’