[1] “Man, who is born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble. [2] Like a flower, he comes forth, then withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure. [3] Do You open Your eyes to one like this? Will You bring him into judgment before You? [4] Who can bring out clean from unclean? No one! [5] Since his days are determined and the number of his months is with You, and since You have set limits that he cannot exceed, [6] look away from him and let him rest, so he can enjoy his day as a hired hand. [7] For there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its tender shoots will not fail. [8] If its roots grow old in the ground and its stump dies in the soil, [9] at the scent of water it will bud and put forth twigs like a sapling. [10] But a man dies and is laid low; he breathes his last, and where is he? [11] As water disappears from the sea and a river becomes parched and dry, [12] so a man lies down and does not rise. Until the heavens are no more, he will not be awakened or roused from sleep. [13] If only You would hide me in Sheol and conceal me until Your anger has passed! If only You would appoint a time for me and then remember me! [14] When a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, until my renewal comes. [15] You will call, and I will answer; You will desire the work of Your hands. [16] For then You would count my steps, but would not keep track of my sin. [17] My transgression would be sealed in a bag, and You would cover over my iniquity. [18] But as a mountain erodes and crumbles and a rock is dislodged from its place, [19] as water wears away the stones and torrents wash away the soil, so You destroy a man’s hope. [20] You forever overpower him, and he passes on; You change his countenance and send him away. [21] If his sons receive honor, he does not know it; if they are brought low, he is unaware. [22] He feels only the pain of his own body and mourns only for himself.”
