1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.
2 He cometh forth like a flower, and withereth; he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.
3 And dost Thou open Thine eyes upon such a one, and bringest me into judgment with Thee?
4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.
5 Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months is with Thee, and Thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;
6 Look away from him, that he may rest, till he shall accomplish, as a hireling, his day.
7 For there is hope of a tree, {N}
if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.
8 Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground;
9 Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and put forth boughs like a plant.
10 But man dieth, and lieth low; yea, man perisheth, and where is he?
11 As the waters fail from the sea, and the river is drained dry;
12 So man lieth down and riseth not; {N}
till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be roused out of their sleep.
13 Oh that Thou wouldest hide me in the nether-world, that Thou wouldest keep me secret, until Thy wrath be past, {N}
that Thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!--
14 If a man die, may he live again? {N}
All the days of my service would I wait, till my relief should come--
15 Thou wouldest call, and I would answer Thee; Thou wouldest have a desire to the work of Thy hands.
16 But now Thou numberest my steps, Thou dost not even wait for my sin;
17 My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and Thou heapest up mine iniquity.
18 And surely the mountain falling crumbleth away, and the rock is removed out of its place;
19 The waters wear the stones; the overflowings thereof wash away the dust of the earth; {N}
so Thou destroyest the hope of man.
20 Thou prevailest for ever against him, and he passeth; Thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away.
21 His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he regardeth them not.
22 But his flesh grieveth for him, and his soul mourneth over him.