[1] “Is not man forced to labor on earth? And are not his days like the days of a hired man? [2] As a slave earnestly longs for the shade, And as a hired man eagerly awaits his wages, [3] So am I allotted months of futility and suffering, And [long] nights of trouble and misery are appointed to me. [4] When I lie down I say, ‘When shall I arise [and the night be gone]?’ But the night continues, And I am continually tossing until the dawning of day. [5] My body is clothed with worms and a crust of dust; My skin is hardened [and broken and loathsome], and [breaks out and] runs. [6] My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, And are spent without hope. [7] “Remember that my life is but breath [a puff of wind, a sigh]; My eye will not see good again. [8] The eye of him who sees me [now] will see me no more; Your eyes will be upon me, but I will not be. [9] As a cloud vanishes and is gone, So he who goes down to Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) does not come up. [10] He will not return again to his house, Nor will his place know about him anymore. [11] “Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul [O Lord]. [12] Am I the sea, or the sea monster, That You set a guard over me? [13] When I say, ‘My bed will comfort me, My couch will ease my complaint,’ [14] Then You frighten me with dreams And terrify me through visions, [15] So that I would choose suffocation, Death rather than my pain. [16] I waste away and loathe my life; I will not live forever. Let me alone, for my days are but a breath [futile and without substance]. [17] What is man that You [should] magnify him [and think him important]? And that You are concerned about him? [18] And that You examine him every morning And try and test him every moment? [19] Will You never turn Your gaze away from me [it plagues me], Nor let me alone until I swallow my spittle? [20] If I have sinned, what [harm] have I done to You, O Watcher of mankind? Why have You set me as a target for You, So that I am a burden to myself? [21] Why then do You not pardon my transgression And take away my sin and guilt? For now I will lie down in the dust; And You will seek me [diligently], but I will not be.”
