Job 14:1-22 AMP

[1] “Man, who is born of a woman, Is short-lived and full of turmoil. [2] Like a flower he comes forth and withers; He also flees like a shadow and does not remain. [3] You also open Your eyes upon him And bring him into judgment with Yourself. [4] Who can make a clean thing out of the unclean? No one! [5] Since his days are determined, The number of his months is with You [in Your control], And You have made his limits so he cannot pass [his allotted time]. [6] [O God] turn your gaze from him so that he may rest, Until he fulfills his day [on earth] like a hired man. [7] “For there is hope for a tree, If it is cut down, that it will sprout again, And that the shoots of it will not cease nor fail, [but there is no such hope for man]. [8] Though its roots grow old in the earth And its stump dies in the dry soil, [9] Yet at the scent of water [the stump of the tree] will flourish And bring forth sprigs and shoots like a seedling. [10] But [the brave, strong] man must die and lie face down; Man breathes his last, and where is he? [11] As water evaporates from the sea, And a river drains and dries up, [12] So man lies down and does not rise [again]. Until the heavens are no longer, The dead will not awake nor be raised from their sleep. [13] “Oh, that You would hide me in Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead), That You would conceal me until Your wrath is past, That You would set a definite time and then remember me [and in Your lovingkindness imprint me on your heart]! [14] If a man dies, will he live again? I will wait all the days of my struggle Until my change and release will come. [15] [Then] You will call, and I will answer You; You will long for [me] the work of Your hands. [16] But now You number [each of] my steps; You do not observe nor take note of my sin. [17] My transgression is sealed up in a bag, And You cover my wickedness [from Your view]. [18] “But as a mountain, if it falls, crumbles into nothing, And as the rock is moved from its place, [19] Water wears away the stones, Its floods and torrents wash away the soil of the earth, So You [O Lord] destroy the hope of man. [20] You prevail forever against him and overpower him, and he passes on; You change his appearance and send him away [from the presence of the living]. [21] His sons achieve honor, and he does not know it; They become insignificant, and he is not aware of it. [22] But his body [lamenting its decay] grieves in pain over it, And his soul mourns over [the loss of] himself.”