25 “My (A)days are swifter than (B)a runner;
    they flee away; they see no good.
26 They go by like (C)skiffs of reed,
    like (D)an eagle swooping on the prey.
27 If I say, (E)‘I will forget my complaint,
    I will put off my sad face, and (F)be of good cheer,’
28 I become (G)afraid of all my suffering,
    for I know you will not (H)hold me innocent.
29 I shall be (I)condemned;
    why then do I labor in vain?
30 If I wash myself with snow
    and (J)cleanse my hands with lye,
31 yet you will plunge me into a pit,
    and my own clothes will (K)abhor me.

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25 “My life passes more swiftly than a runner.
    It flees away without a glimpse of happiness.
26 It disappears like a swift papyrus boat,
    like an eagle swooping down on its prey.
27 If I decided to forget my complaints,
    to put away my sad face and be cheerful,
28 I would still dread all the pain,
    for I know you will not find me innocent, O God.
29 Whatever happens, I will be found guilty.
    So what’s the use of trying?
30 Even if I were to wash myself with soap
    and clean my hands with lye,
31 you would plunge me into a muddy ditch,
    and my own filthy clothing would hate me.

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