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[1] BEHOLD there is an appointed time for man upon earth, and his days are like the days of a hireling.
[2] As a servant who eagerly longs for eventide, and as a hireling who looks to complete his job;
[3] So have I inherited months of vanity, and wearisome nights are meted out to me.
[4] When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise? and the night seems long; when I go to rest, I toss about till the dawning of the day.
[5] My flesh is covered with worms, and my body with dust; my skin is shrunk, and falls apart.
[6] My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope
[7] O remember that the spirit is still alive; even yet my eye shall again see good.
[8] The eye of him who has seen me shall rejoice no more; thine eyes are upon me, and vet I am gone.
[9] As the cloud fades away and disappears, so he who descends to Sheol shall not ascend any more.
[10] He shall return no more to his house, neither shall he recognize his place any more.
[11] Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.
[12] Am I a sea, or a sea monster, that thou settest a watch over me?
[13] For I said that thou shalt comfort me, and I will be relieved of the pain of my sickbed.
[14] And, behold, thou dost scare me with dreams, and terrify me through visions;
[15] Thou hast drawn my life out of destruction, and my bones out of death.
[16] I am despondent; I would not live for ever; leave me alone, for my days are vanity
[17] What is man, that thou shouldst destroy him? And that thou shouldst think of him;
[18] And that thou shouldst visit him every morning, and try him every moment?
[19] How long wilt thou not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow my spittle?
[20] If I have sinned; what have I done to thee, O thou Creator of men? Why hast thou caused me to encounter thee? Thou hast become a burden to me.
[21] Until when wilt thou not forgive my transgressions and remove my iniquity? For now I shall lie in the dust; and thou shalt seek me, but I shall be no more
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