“Why did I not die at birth,
Come forth from the womb and expire?

“Why did the knees receive me,
And why the breasts, that I should suck?

“Why is light given to him who suffers,
And life to the bitter of soul,

“Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden,
And whom God has hedged in?

“Have I sinned? What have I done to You,
O watcher of men?
Why have You set me as Your target,
So that I am a burden to myself?

“Why then do You not pardon my transgression
And take away my iniquity?
For now I will lie down in the dust;
And You will seek me, but I will not be.”

“I am accounted wicked,
Why then should I toil in vain?

“I will say to God, ‘Do not condemn me;
Let me know why You contend with me.

‘Why then have You brought me out of the womb?
Would that I had died and no eye had seen me!

“Why should I take my flesh in my teeth
And put my life in my hands?

“Why do You hide Your face
And consider me Your enemy?

“Why does your heart carry you away?
And why do your eyes flash,

“Why are we regarded as beasts,
As stupid in your eyes?

“Why do you persecute me as God does,
And are not satisfied with my flesh?

“As for me, is my complaint to man?
And why should I not be impatient?

“Why do the wicked still live,
Continue on, also become very powerful?

“Why are times not stored up by the Almighty,
And why do those who know Him not see His days?

“Behold, all of you have seen it;
Why then do you act foolishly?

“Why do you complain against Him
That He does not give an account of all His doings?