² “Indeed, I know that this is true.
    But how can mere mortals prove their innocence before God?^(A)
3 Though they wished to dispute with him,^(B)
    they could not answer him one time out of a thousand.^(C)

¹⁵ If God places no trust in his holy ones,^(A)
    if even the heavens are not pure in his eyes,^(B)
16 how much less mortals, who are vile and corrupt,^(C)
    who drink up evil^(D) like water!^(E)

¹⁸ If God places no trust in his servants,^(A)
    if he charges his angels with error,^(B)
19 how much more those who live in houses of clay,^(C)
    whose foundations^(D) are in the dust,^(E)
    who are crushed^(F) more readily than a moth!^(G)

³ If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
    Lord, who could stand?^(A)