[1] “Is there not warfare to man on earth? And his days as the days of a hired worker? [2] As a servant desires the shadow, || And as a hired worker expects his wage, [3] So I have been caused to inherit months of vanity, || And they numbered nights of misery to me. [4] If I lay down, then I have said, When do I rise, || And evening has been measured? And I have been full of tossings until dawn. [5] My flesh has been clothed [with] worms, || And a clod of dust, || My skin has been shriveled and is loathsome, [6] My days swifter than a loom, || And they are consumed without hope. [7] Remember that my life [is] a breath, || My eye does not turn back to see good. [8] The eye of my beholder does not behold me. Your eyes [are] on me—and I am not. [9] A cloud has been consumed, and it goes, || So he who is going down to Sheol does not come up. [10] He does not turn to his house again, || Nor does his place discern him again. [11] Also I do not withhold my mouth—I speak in the distress of my spirit, I talk in the bitterness of my soul. [12] Am I a sea [monster], or a dragon, || That You set a watch over me? [13] When I said, My bed comforts me, || In my talking He takes away my couch. [14] And You have frightened me with dreams, || And You terrify me from visions, [15] And my soul chooses strangling, || Death rather than my bones. [16] I have wasted away—I do not live for all time. Cease from me, for my days [are] vanity. [17] What [is] man that You magnify him? And that You set Your heart to him? [18] And inspect him in the mornings, || [And] in the evenings try him? [19] How long do You not look from me? You do not desist until I swallow my spittle. [20] I have sinned, what do I do to You, || O watcher of man? Why have You set me for a mark to You, || And I am for a burden to myself—and what? [21] You do not take away my transgression, || And [do not] cause my iniquity to pass away, || Because now, I lie down in dust, || And You have sought me—and I am not!”
