1
Is there not an appointed time[H6635] to man[H582] upon earth?[H776] are not his days[H3117] also like the days[H3117] of an hireling?[H7916]
2
As a servant[H5650] earnestly desireth[H7602] the shadow[H6738], and as an hireling[H7916]looketh[H6960] for the reward of his work[H6467]:
3
So am I made to possess[H5157]months[H3391] of vanity[H7723], and wearisome[H5999]nights[H3915] are appointed[H4487] to me.
4
When I lie down[H7901], I say[H559], When shall I arise[H6965], and the night[H6153] be gone?[H4059] and I am full[H7646] of tossings to and fro[H5076] unto the dawning of the day[H5399].
5
My flesh[H1320] is clothed[H3847] with worms[H7415] and clods[H1487] of dust[H6083]; my skin[H5785] is broken[H7280], and become loathsome[H3988].
6
My days[H3117] are swifter[H7043] than a weaver's shuttle[H708], and are spent[H3615]without[H657]hope[H8615].
7
O remember[H2142] that my life[H2416] is wind[H7307]: mine eye[H5869] shall no more[H7725]see[H7200]good[H2896].
8
The eye[H5869] of him that hath seen[H7210] me shall see[H7789] me no more: thine eyes[H5869] are upon me, and I am not.
9
As the cloud[H6051] is consumed[H3615] and vanisheth away[H3212]: so he that goeth down[H3381] to the grave[H7585] shall come up[H5927] no more.
10
He shall return[H7725] no more to his house[H1004], neither shall his place[H4725]know[H5234] him any more.
11
Therefore I will not refrain[H2820] my mouth[H6310]; I will speak[H1696] in the anguish[H6862] of my spirit[H7307]; I will complain[H7878] in the bitterness[H4751] of my soul[H5315].
12
Am I a sea[H3220], or a whale[H8577], that thou settest[H7760] a watch[H4929] over me?
13
When I say[H559], My bed[H6210] shall comfort[H5162] me, my couch[H4904] shall ease[H5375] my complaint[H7879];
14
Then thou scarest[H2865] me with dreams[H2472], and terrifiest[H1204] me through visions[H2384]:
15
So that my soul[H5315]chooseth[H977]strangling[H4267], and death[H4194] rather than my life[H6106].
16
I loathe[H3988] it; I would not live[H2421]alway[H5769]: let me alone[H2308]; for my days[H3117] are vanity[H1892].
17
What is man[H582], that thou shouldest magnify[H1431] him? and that thou shouldest set[H7896] thine heart[H3820] upon him?
18
And that thou shouldest visit[H6485] him every morning[H1242], and try[H974] him every moment?[H7281]
19
How long[H4100] wilt thou not depart[H8159] from me, nor let me alone[H7503] till I swallow down[H1104] my spittle?[H7536]
20
I have sinned[H2398]; what shall I do[H6466] unto thee, O thou preserver[H5341] of men?[H120] why hast thou set[H7760] me as a mark[H4645] against thee, so that I am a burden[H4853] to myself?
21
And why dost thou not pardon[H5375] my transgression[H6588], and take away[H5674] mine iniquity?[H5771] for now shall I sleep[H7901] in the dust[H6083]; and thou shalt seek me in the morning[H7836], but I shall not be.