16. I have sowed sackcloth upon my skin, and have covered my flesh with ashes.
17. My face is swollen with weeping, and my eyelids are dim.
18. These things have I suffered without the iniquity of my hand, when I offered pure prayers to God.
19. O earth, cover not thou my blood, neither let my cry find a hiding place in thee.
20. For behold my witness is in heaven, and he that knoweth my conscience is on high.
21. My friends are full of words: my eye poureth out tears to God.
22. And O that a man might so be judged with God, as the son of man is judged with his companion!
23. For behold short years pass away and I am walking in a path by which l shall not return.