|
[1] Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.
[2] He cometh forth like a flower, and withereth; he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.
[3] And dost Thou open Thine eyes upon such a one, and bringest me into judgment with Thee?
[4] Who can bring a clean thing out of unclean? not one.
[5] Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months is with Thee, and Thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;
[6] Look away from him, that he may rest, till he shall accomplish, as a hireling, his day.
[7] 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.
[8] Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground;
[9] Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and put forth boughs like a plant.
[10] But man dieth, and lieth low; yea, man perisheth, and where is he?
[11] As the waters fail from the sea, and the river is drained dry;
[12] So man lieth down and riseth not; till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be roused out of their sleep.
[13] Oh that Thou wouldest hide me in the nether-world, that Thou wouldest keep me secret, until Thy wrath be past, that Thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!—
[14] If a man die, may he live again? All the days of my service would I wait, till my relief should come—
[15] Thou wouldest call, and I would answer Thee; Thou wouldest have a desire to the work of Thy hands.
[16] But now Thou numberest my steps, Thou dost not even wait for my sin;
[17] My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and Thou heapest up mine iniquity.
[18] And surely the mountain falling crumbleth away, and the rock is removed out of its place;
[19] The waters wear the stones; the overflowings thereof wash away the dust of the earth; so Thou destroyest the hope of man.
[20] Thou prevailest for ever against him, and he passeth; Thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away.
[21] His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he regardeth them not.
[22] But his flesh grieveth for him, and his soul mourneth over him.
|