“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 would nurse?

“Or like a miscarriage which is hidden and put away, I would not exist,
Like infants who never saw light.

“Why is the light given to him who is in misery,
And life to the bitter in soul,

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

“If I have sinned, what [harm] have I done to You,
O Watcher of mankind?
Why have You set me as a target for You,
So that I am a burden to myself?

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

“I am accounted wicked and held guilty;
Why then should I labor in vain [to appear innocent]?

“I will say to God, ‘Do not condemn me [and declare me guilty]!
Show me why You contend and argue and struggle with me.

‘Why then did You bring me out of the womb?
Would that I had perished and no eye had seen me!

“Why should I take my flesh in my teeth
And put my life in my hands [incurring the wrath of God]?

“Why do You hide Your face [as if offended]
And consider me Your enemy?

“Why does your heart carry you away [allowing you to be controlled by emotion]?
And why do your eyes flash [in anger or contempt],

“Why are we regarded as beasts,
As if [we are] stupid (senseless) in your eyes?

“Why do you persecute me as God does?
Why are you not satisfied with my flesh (anguish)?

“As for me, is my complaint to man or about him?
And why should I not be impatient and my spirit troubled?

“Why do the wicked still live,
Become old, and become mighty in power?

“Why does the Almighty not set seasons for judgment?
Why do those who know Him not see His days [for punishment of the wicked]?

“Behold, all of you have seen it;
Why then do you act vainly and foolishly [cherishing worthless concepts]?

“Why do you complain against Him?
That He does not answer [you with] all His doings.

You whose garments are hot,
When He quiets the earth [in sultry summer] with the [oppressive] south wind?