Man that is born
of a woman
is of few
days
, and full
of trouble
.
He cometh forth like a flower
, and is cut down
: he fleeth
also as a shadow
, and continueth
not.
And dost thou open thine eyes
upon such an one
, and bringest
me into judgment
with thee?
Who can bring a clean
thing out of an unclean
? not one
.
Seeing his days
are determined
, the number
of his months
are with thee, thou hast appointed
his bounds
that he cannot pass
;
Turn from him, that he may rest
, till he shall accomplish
, as an hireling
, his day
.
For there is hope
of a tree
, if it be cut down
, that it will sprout again
, and that the tender branch
thereof will not cease
.
Though the root thereof wax old
in the earth
, and the stock
thereof die
in the ground
;
Yet through the scent of water
it will bud
, and bring forth
boughs
like a plant
.
But man dieth
, and wasteth away
: yea, man
giveth up the ghost
, and where is he?
As the waters fail
from the sea
, and the flood
decayeth
and drieth up
:
So man lieth down
, and riseth
not: till the heavens
be no more
, they shall not awake
, nor be raised out
of their sleep
.
O that thou wouldest hide
me in the grave
, that thou wouldest keep me secret
, until thy wrath
be past
, that thou wouldest appoint
me a set time
, and remember
me!
If a man die
, shall he live
again ? all the days
of my appointed time
will I wait
, till my change
come
.
Thou shalt call, and I will answer
thee: thou wilt have a desire
to the work
of thine hands
.
For now thou numberest my steps
: dost thou not watch
over my sin
?
My transgression is sealed up
in a bag
, and thou sewest up
mine iniquity
.
And surely the mountain
falling
cometh to nought
, and the rock
is removed
out of his place
.
The waters wear
the stones
: thou washest away
the things which grow
out of the dust
of the earth
; and thou destroyest
the hope
of man
.
Thou prevailest for ever
against him, and he passeth
: thou changest
his countenance
, and sendest him away
.
His sons come to honour
, and he knoweth
it not; and they are brought low
, but he perceiveth
it not of them.
But his flesh upon him shall have pain
, and his soul
within him shall mourn
.