24. When a land falls into the hands of the wicked, he blindfolds its judges. If it is not he, then who is it?
25. “My days are swifter than a runner; they fly away without a glimpse of joy.
26. They skim past like boats of papyrus, like eagles swooping down on their prey.
27. If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression, and smile,’
28. I still dread all my sufferings, for I know you will not hold me innocent.
29. Since I am already found guilty, why should I struggle in vain?
30. Even if I washed myself with soap and my hands with cleansing powder,
31. you would plunge me into a slime pit so that even my clothes would detest me.