[1] "Isn`t a man forced to labor on earth? Aren`t his days like the days
of a hired hand? [2] As a servant who earnestly desires the shadow, As a
hireling who looks for his wages, [3] So am I made to possess months of
misery, Wearisome nights are appointed to me. [4] When 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] My flesh is clothed with worms and clods
of dust. My skin closes up, and breaks out afresh. [6] My days are
swifter than a weaver`s shuttle, And are spent without hope. [7] Oh
remember that my life is a breath. My eye shall no more see good. [8]
The eye of him who sees me shall see me no more. Your eyes shall be on
me, but I shall not be. [9] As the cloud is consumed and vanishes away,
So he who goes down to Sheol shall come up no more. [10] He 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] Am I a sea,
or a sea-monster, That you put a guard over me? [13] When I say, `My bed
shall comfort me, My couch shall ease my complaint;` [14] Then you scar
me with dreams, And terrify me through visions: [15] So 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] What is man, that you should magnify him, That you should
set your mind on him, [18] That you should visit him every morning, And
test him every moment? [19] How long will you not look away from me, Nor
leave me alone until I swallow down my spittle? [20] If 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] Why 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."
