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[1] Is not the life of man upon earth a state of trial? and his existence as that of a hireling by the day?
[2] Or as a servant that fears his master, and one who has grasped a shadow? or as a hireling waiting for his pay?
[3] So have I also endured months of vanity, and nights of pain have been appointed me.
[4] Whenever I lie down, I say, When will it be day? and whenever I rise up, again I say when will it be evening? and I am full of pains from evening to morning.
[5] And my body is covered with loathsome worms; and I waste away, scraping off clods of dust from my eruption.
[6] And my life is lighter than a word, and has perished in vain hope.
[7] Remember then that my life is breath, and mine eye shalt not yet again see good.
[8] The eye of him that sees me shall not see me again: thine eyes are upon me, and I am no more.
[9] I am as a cloud that is cleared away from the sky: for if a man go down to the grave, he shall not come up again:
[10] and he shall surely not return to his own house, neither shall his place know him any more.
[11] Then neither will I refrain my mouth: I will speak being in distress; being in anguish I will disclose the bitterness of my soul.
[12] Am I a sea, or a serpent, that thou hast set a watch over me?
[13] I said that my bed should comfort me, and I would privately counsel with myself on my couch.
[14] Thou scarest me with dreams, and dost terrify me with visions.
[15] Thou wilt separate life from my spirit; and yet keep my bones from death.
[16] For I shall not live for ever, that I should patiently endure: depart from me, for my life is vain.
[17] For what is man, that thou hast magnified him? or that thou givest heed to him?
[18] Wilt thou visit him till the morning, and judge him till the time of rest?
[19] How long dost thou not let me alone, nor let me go, until I shall swallow down my spittle?
[20] If I have sinned, what shall I be able to do, O thou that understandest the mind of men? why hast thou made me as thine accuser, and why am I a burden to thee?
[21] Why hast thou not forgotten my iniquity, and purged my sin? but now I shall depart to the earth; and in the morning I am no more.
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