[1] "Is there not an appointed time for man upon earth? Are not his days also like the days of a hireling? [2] As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as a hireling looketh for the reward of his work, [3] so am I made to possess months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed to me. [4] When I lie down, I say, 'When shall I arise and the night be gone?' And I am full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day. [5] My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin is broken, and has become loathsome. [6] My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope. [7] "O remember that my life is wind; mine eye shall no more see good. [8] The eye of him that hath seen me shall see me no more; Thine eyes are upon me, and I am not. [9] As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away, so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more. [10] He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more. [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. [12] Am I a sea, or a whale, that Thou settest a watch over me? [13] When I say, 'My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint,' [14] then Thou scarest me with dreams and terrifiest me through visions, [15] so that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life. [16] I loathe it; I would not live always. Let me alone, for my days are vanity. [17] "What is man, that Thou shouldest magnify him, and that Thou shouldest set Thine heart upon him? [18] And that Thou shouldest visit him every morning, and try him every moment? [19] How long wilt Thou not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle? [20] I have sinned. What shall I do unto Thee, O Thou preserver of men? Why hast Thou set me as a mark against Thee, so that I am a burden to myself? [21] And why dost Thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity? For now shall I sleep in the dust, and Thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be."
