1 M an, born of woman, is of few days, and full of trouble.

2 H e cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down; and he fleeth as a shadow, and continueth not.

3 Y et dost thou open thine eyes upon such a one, and bringest me into judgment with thee?

4 W ho can bring a clean out of the unclean? Not one!

5 I f his days are determined, if the number of his months is with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds which he must not pass,

6 L ook away from him; and let him rest, till he accomplish, as a hireling, his day.

7 F or there is hope for a tree: if it be cut down, it will sprout again, and its tender branch will not cease;

8 T hough its root grow old in the earth, and its stock die in the ground,

9 Y et through the scent of water it will bud, and put forth boughs like a young plant.

10 B ut a man dieth, and is prostrate; yea, man expireth, and where is he?

11 T he waters recede from the lake, and the river wasteth and drieth up:

12 S o man lieth down, and riseth not again; till the heavens be no more, they do not awake, nor are raised out of their sleep.

13 O h that thou wouldest hide me in Sheol, that thou wouldest keep me secret until thine anger be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me,—

14 ( If a man die, shall he live ?) all the days of my time of toil would I wait, till my change should come:

15 T hou wouldest call, and I would answer thee; thou wouldest have a desire after the work of thy hands.

16 F or now thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch over my sin?

17 M y transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou heapest up mine iniquity.

18 A nd indeed a mountain falling cometh to nought, and the rock is removed out of its place;

19 T he waters wear the stones, the floods thereof wash away the dust of the earth; and thou destroyest the hope of man.

20 T hou prevailest for ever against him, and he passeth away; thou changest his countenance, and dismissest him.

21 H is sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, and he perceiveth it not.

22 B ut his flesh hath pain for himself alone, and his soul mourneth for himself.