(“) Is not man consigned to labor on earth ? Are not his days like those of a hired hand ?
Like a slave he longs for shade ; like a hireling he waits for his wages.
So I am allotted months of futility , and nights of misery are appointed
When I lie down I think : ‘ When will I get up ? ’ But the night drags on , and I toss and turn ... until dawn.
My flesh is clothed with worms and encrusted with dirt ; my skin is cracked and festering.
My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle ; they come to an end without hope.
Remember that my life is but a breath. My eyes will never again see happiness.
The eye that beholds me will no longer see me. You will look but I will be no more.
As a cloud vanishes and is gone , so he who goes down to Sheol does not come back up.
He never ... returns to his house ; his place - remembers him no more.
Therefore I will not restrain my mouth ; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit ; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.
Am I the sea , or the monster of the deep , that You must keep me under ... guard ?
When I think my bed will comfort me and my couch will ease my complaint ,
then You frighten me with dreams and terrify me with visions ,
so that I would prefer strangling and death over my life in this body.
I loathe (my life) ! I would not live forever. Leave me alone ... , for my days (are) (but) a breath.
What is man that You should exalt him , that You should set Your heart upon him ,
that You attend to him every morning , (and) test him every moment ?
Will You never ... look away from me , or leave me alone to swallow my spittle ?
If I have sinned , what have I done O watcher of mankind ? Why have You made me target , so that I am a burden to You ?
Why do You not pardon my transgression and take away - my iniquity ? For soon I will lie down in the dust ; You will seek me , but I will be no more. ”