With kings and counselors of the earth, who built desolate places for themselves;

If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?

Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.

Who is he that will plead with me? for now, if I hold my tongue, I shall expire.

O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place.

O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbor!

If indeed ye will magnify yourselves against me, and plead against me my reproach:

Because he hath oppressed and hath forsaken the poor; because he hath violently taken away a house which he did not build.

If thou shalt return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles.

Would he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.

If my step hath turned out of the way, and my heart walked after my eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to my hands;

Then let my arm fall from my shoulder-blade, and my arm be broken from the bone.

Her young ones also suck up blood: and where the slain are, there is she.