[1] I said, "I will take heed of my ways, that I sin not with my tongue; I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me." [2] I was dumb with silence; I held my peace, even from good, and my sorrow was stirred. [3] My heart was hot within me; while I was musing, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue: [4] "LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is, that I may know how frail I am. [5] Behold, Thou hast made my days as a handbreadth, and mine age is as nothing before Thee; verily every man in his best state is altogether vanity. Selah [6] "Surely every man walketh in a vain show; surely they are disquieted in vain; he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. [7] "And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in Thee. [8] Deliver me from all my transgressions; make me not the reproach of the foolish. [9] I was dumb, I opened not my mouth, because Thou didst it. [10] Remove Thy stroke away from me; I am consumed by the blow of Thine hand. [11] When with rebukes Thou dost correct man for iniquity, Thou makest his beauty to be consumed away like a moth; surely every man is vanity. Selah [12] "Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not Thy peace at my tears; for I am a stranger with Thee and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. [13] O spare me, that I may recover strength before I go hence and am no more."
