^17 (A)‘Can mortal man be in the right before^[a] God?
    Can a man be pure before his Maker?
¹⁸ Even in his servants ^(B)he puts no trust,
    and his angels he charges with error;
¹⁹ how much more those who dwell in houses of ^(C)clay,
    whose foundation is in ^(D)the dust,
    who are crushed like ^(E)the moth.

² “Truly I know that it is so:
    But how can a man be ^(A)in the right before God?

^14 (A)What is man, ^(B)that he can be pure?
    Or he who is ^(C)born of a woman, that he can be righteous?
¹⁵ Behold, God^{[a] (D)}puts no trust in his ^(E)holy ones,
    and the heavens are not pure in his sight;
^16 (F)how much less one who is abominable and ^(G)corrupt,
    a man who ^(H)drinks injustice like water!

³ If you, O Lord, should ^(A)mark iniquities,
    O Lord, who could ^(B)stand?

^2 (A)Enter not into judgement with your servant,
    for no one living is righteous ^(B)before you.