1 I said, “I will watch my ways so I may not sin with my tongue. I will keep my mouth shut as if it were tied with ropes, while the sinful are near me.”

Ki te tino kaiwhakatangi, ki a Ierutunu. He himene na Rawiri. I mea ahau, Ka ata whakaaro ahau ki oku ara, kei hara toku arero; ka tiakina toku mangai, paraire rawa, i te mea kei toku aroaro te tangata kino.

2 I stayed quiet, not even saying anything good. And my sorrow grew worse.

I whakamoroki ahau, i wahangu, kihai i puaki taku kupu, ahakoa pai; a ka oho toku mamae.

3 M y heart was hot within me. As I thought about things, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue,

Werawera ana toku ngakau i roto i ahau; i ahau e whakaaro ana ka ka te ahi, a ka korero toku arero.

4 “ O Lord, let me know my end and how many days I have to live. Let me know that I do not have long to stay here.

E Ihowa, meinga ahau kia matau ki toku mutunga, ki te maha hoki o oku ra, e hia ranei: kia matau ai ahau he mea memeha noa ahau.

5 Y ou have made each of my days as long as a hand is wide. My whole life is nothing in Your eyes. Every man at his best is only a breath.

Nana, he whanuitanga ringa oku ra kua homai nei e koe; he kahore noa iho ano oku tau i tou aroaro: ahakoa u noa te tu o nga tangata katoa, he mea memeha kau. (Hera.

6 E very man walks here and there like a shadow. He makes a noise about nothing. He stores up riches, not knowing who will gather them.

He pono kei roto i te atarangi te tangata e kopikopiko noa ana; he pono e ohorere noa ana ratou: e ami ana ia i te taonga, a kahore e matau ma wai ranei e kohi.

7 A nd now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You.

Na he aha taku e tatari atu nei, e te Ariki? Ko koe taku e tumanako ai.

8 S ave me from all my sins. Do not let me be put to shame by the foolish.

Whakaorangia ahau i aku mahi tutu katoa: kaua ahau e waiho hei tawainga ma te wairangi.

9 I cannot speak. I do not open my mouth because it is You Who has done it.

Wahangu ana ahau, kihai i kuihi toku mangai: he meatanga hoki tenei nau.

10 D o not punish me any more. I am growing weak by the beatings of Your hand.

Nekehia atu i ahau tau whiu: ka ngaro ahau i te pakinga a tou ringa.

11 W ith sharp words You punish a man for sin. You destroy like a moth what is of worth to him. For sure, every man is only a breath.

Ka pakia e koe te tangata, ka whakatupehupehutia mo te hara, ka meinga e koe tona ataahua kia memeha, kia pera me te purehurehu: he pono he mea teka noa nga tangata katoa. (Hera.

12 O Lord, hear my prayer, and listen to my cry. Do not be quiet when You see my tears. For I am a stranger with You, a visitor like all my fathers.

Whakarongo ki taku inoi, e Ihowa, kia titaha mai tou taringa ki taku karanga; kei wahangu koe ki oku roimata: he heke hoki ahau nau, he manene, he pera me oku matua katoa.

13 L ook away from me, so I may have joy again before I go and am no more.”

Kia ata hanga ki ahau, kia ta ai toku manawa, keiwha haere atu ahau i konei, a ka kahore noa iho.