(“) Man , who is born of woman , is short of days and full of trouble.
Like a flower , he comes forth , then withers away ; like a fleeting shadow ... , he does not endure.
Do You open Your eyes - to one like this ? Will You bring him into judgment before You ?
Who can bring out clean from unclean ? No one !
Since his days (are) determined and the number of his months (is) with You , and since You have set limits that he cannot exceed ,
look away from him and let him rest , so he can enjoy his day as a hired hand.
For there is hope for a tree : If it is cut down , it will sprout again , and its tender shoots will not fail.
If its roots grow old in the ground and its stump dies in the soil ,
at the scent of water it will bud and put forth twigs like a sapling.
But a man dies and is laid low ; he breathes his last , and where (is) he ?
As water disappears from the sea and a river becomes parched and dry ,
so a man lies down and does not rise. Until the heavens are no more , he will not be awakened (or) roused from sleep.
If only ... You would hide me in Sheol and conceal me until Your anger has passed ! If only You would appoint a time and then remember me !
When a man dies , will he live (again) ? All the days of my hard service I will wait , until my renewal comes.
You will call , and I will answer ; You will desire the work of Your hands.
For then You would count my steps , but would not keep track of my sin.
My transgression would be sealed in a bag , and You would cover over my iniquity.
But as a mountain erodes and crumbles and a rock is dislodged from its place ,
as water wears away the stones and torrents wash away the soil ... , so You destroy a man’s hope.
You forever overpower him , and he passes on ; You change his countenance and send him away.
If his sons receive honor , he does not know it ; if they are brought low , he is unaware ...
He feels only the pain of his own body and mourns only for himself .... ”