1 “ Isn’t a man forced to labor on earth? Aren’t his days like the days of a hired hand?

2 A s a servant who earnestly desires the shadow, as a hireling who looks for his wages,

3 s o am I made to possess months of misery, wearisome nights are appointed to me.

4 W hen I lie down, I say, ‘When shall I arise, and the night be gone?’ I toss and turn until the dawning of the day.

5 M y flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust. My skin closes up, and breaks out afresh.

6 M y days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and are spent without hope.

7 O h remember that my life is a breath. My eye shall no more see good.

8 T he eye of him who sees me shall see me no more. Your eyes shall be on me, but I shall not be.

9 A s the cloud is consumed and vanishes away, so he who goes down to Sheol shall come up no more.

10 H e shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more.

11 “ Therefore I will not keep silent. I will speak in the anguish of my spirit. I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

12 A m I a sea, or a sea monster, that you put a guard over me?

13 W hen I say, ‘My bed shall comfort me. My couch shall ease my complaint;’

14 t hen you scare me with dreams, and terrify me through visions:

15 s o that my soul chooses strangling, death rather than my bones.

16 I loathe my life. I don’t want to live forever. Leave me alone, for my days are but a breath.

17 W hat is man, that you should magnify him, that you should set your mind on him,

18 t hat you should visit him every morning, and test him every moment?

19 H ow long will you not look away from me, nor leave me alone until I swallow down my spittle?

20 I f I have sinned, what do I do to you, you watcher of men? Why have you set me as a mark for you, so that I am a burden to myself?

21 W hy do you not pardon my disobedience, and take away my iniquity? For now shall I lie down in the dust. You will seek me diligently, but I shall not be.”