¹⁵ Though I were innocent, I could not answer him;^(A)
    I could only plead^(B) with my Judge^(C) for mercy.^(D)
16 Even if I summoned him and he responded,
    I do not believe he would give me a hearing.^(E)
17 He would crush me^(F) with a storm^(G)
    and multiply^(H) my wounds for no reason.^(I)
18 He would not let me catch my breath
    but would overwhelm me with misery.^(J)
19 If it is a matter of strength, he is mighty!^(K)
    And if it is a matter of justice, who can challenge him^[a]?^(L)
20 Even if I were innocent, my mouth would condemn me;
    if I were blameless, it would pronounce me guilty.^(M)

²² It is all the same; that is why I say,
    ‘He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.’^(A)
23 When a scourge^(B) brings sudden death,
    he mocks the despair of the innocent.^(C)
24 When a land falls into the hands of the wicked,^(D)
    he blindfolds its judges.^(E)
    If it is not he, then who is it?^(F)