1 M an, born of woman! Of few days, and full of trouble!

2 A s a flower he hath gone forth, and is cut off, And he fleeth as a shadow and standeth not.

3 A lso -- on this Thou hast opened Thine eyes, And dost bring me into judgment with Thee.

4 W ho giveth a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.

5 I f determined are his days, The number of his months with Thee, His limit Thou hast made, And he passeth not over;

6 L ook away from off him that he may cease, Till he enjoy as an hireling his day.

7 F or there is of a tree hope, if it be cut down, That again it doth change, That its tender branch doth not cease.

8 I f its root becometh old in the earth, And its stem doth die in the dust,

9 F rom the fragrance of water it doth flourish, And hath made a crop as a plant.

10 A nd a man dieth, and becometh weak, And man expireth, and where he?

11 W aters have gone away from a sea, And a river becometh waste and dry.

12 A nd man hath lain down, and riseth not, Till the wearing out of the heavens they awake not, Nor are roused from their sleep.

13 O that in Sheol Thou wouldst conceal me, Hide me till the turning of Thine anger, Set for me a limit, and remember me.

14 I f a man dieth -- doth he revive? All days of my warfare I wait, till my change come.

15 T hou dost call, and I -- I answer Thee; To the work of Thy hands Thou hast desire.

16 B ut now, my steps Thou numberest, Thou dost not watch over my sin.

17 S ealed up in a bag my transgression, And Thou sewest up mine iniquity.

18 A nd yet, a falling mountain wasteth away, And a rock is removed from its place.

19 S tones have waters worn away, Their outpourings wash away the dust of earth, And the hope of man Thou hast destroyed.

20 T hou prevailest him for ever, and he goeth, He is changing his countenance, And Thou sendest him away.

21 H onoured are his sons, and he knoweth not; And they are little, and he attendeth not to them.

22 O nly -- his flesh for him is pained, And his soul for him doth mourn.'