1 “Man who is born of a womanis of few days and full of trouble.
2 He comes forth like a flower and withers;he flees like a shadow and does not continue.
3 Do You open Your eyes on such a one,and bring me into judgment with You?
4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean?There is no one.
5 Seeing his days are determined,the number of his months are with You;You have appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;
6 turn from him, that he may rest,until he, as a hired man, finishes his day.
7 “For there is hope for a tree,if it is cut down, that it will sprout again,and that its tender shoots will not cease.
8 Though its root may grow old in the earth,and its stump may die in the ground,
9 yet at the scent of water it will budand bring forth boughs like a plant.
10 But man dies and wastes away;yes, man gives up his breath, and where is he?
11 As the waters disappear from the sea,and the flood shrivels and dries up,
12 so man lies down and does not rise;until the heavens are no more, he will not awake,nor be raised out of his sleep.
13 “Oh, that You would hide me in the grave,that You would conceal me until Your wrath is past,that You would appoint me a set timeand remember me!
14 If a man dies, will he live again?All the days of my service I will wait,until my relief comes.
15 You will call, and I will answer You;You will long for the work of Your hands.
16 For now You number my steps;do You not observe my sin?
17 My transgression is sealed up in a bag,and You plaster over my iniquity.
18 “Surely the mountain falling comes to nothing,and the rock is removed out of its place.
19 The waters wear away the stones;its overflow washes away the dust of the earth;and You destroy the hope of man.
20 You prevail forever against him, and he passes on;changing his countenance, You send him away.
21 His sons come to honor, and he does not know it;and they are brought low, but he does not perceive it.
22 But his flesh on him will have pain,and his soul within him will mourn.”