[1] "All of us born to women live only a few days and have lots of trouble. [2] We grow up like flowers and then dry up and die. We are like a passing shadow that does not last. [3] Lord, do you need to watch me like this? Must you bring me before you to be judged? [4] No one can bring something clean from something dirty. [5] Our time is limited. You have given us only so many months to live and have set limits we cannot go beyond. [6] So look away from us and leave us alone until we put in our time like a laborer. [7] "If a tree is cut down, there is hope that it will grow again and will send out new branches. [8] Even if its roots grow old in the ground, and its stump dies in the dirt, [9] at the smell of water it will bud and put out new shoots like a plant. [10] But we die, and our bodies are laid in the ground; we take our last breath and are gone. [11] Water disappears from a lake, and a river loses its water and dries up. [12] In the same way, we lie down and do not rise again; we will not get up or be awakened until the heavens disappear. [13] "I wish you would hide me in the grave; hide me until your anger is gone. I wish you would set a time and then remember me! [14] Will the dead live again? All my days are a struggle; I will wait until my change comes. [15] You will call, and I will answer you; you will desire the creature your hands have made. [16] Then you will count my steps, but you will not keep track of my sin. [17] My wrongs will be closed up in a bag, and you will cover up my sin. [18] "A mountain washes away and crumbles; and a rock can be moved from its place. [19] Water washes over stones and wears them down, and rushing waters wash away the dirt. In the same way, you destroy hope. [20] You defeat people forever, and they are gone; you change their appearance and send them away. [21] Their children are honored, but they do not know it; their children are disgraced, but they do not see it. [22] They only feel the pain of their body and feel sorry for themselves."
