|
[1]The life of man upon earth is a warfare, and his days are like the days of a hireling.
[2]As a servant longeth for the shade, as the hireling looketh for the end of his work;
[3]So I also have had empty months, and have numbered to myself wearisome nights.
[4]If I lie down to sleep, I shall say: When shall arise? and again I shall look for the evening, and shall be filled with sorrows even till darkness.
[5]My flesh is clothed with rottenness and the filth of dust, my skin is withered and drawn together.
[6]My days have passed more swiftly than the web is cut by the weaver, and are consumed without any hope.
[7]Remember that my life is but wind, and my eyes shall not return to see good things.
[8]Nor shall the sight of man behold me: thy eyes are upon me, and I shall be no more.
[9]As a cloud is consumed, and passeth away: so he that shall go down to hell shall not come up.
[10]Nor shall he return my more into his house, neither shall his place know him any more.
[11]Wherefore I will not spare my month, I will speak in the affliction of my spirit: I will talk with the bitterness of my soul.
[12]Am I a sea, or a whale, that thou hast enclosed me in a prison?
[13]If I say: My bed shall comfort me, and I shall be relieved speaking with myself on my couch:
[14]Thou wilt frighten me with dreams and terrify me with visions.
[15]So that my soul rather chooseth hanging, and my bones death.
[16]I have done with hope, I shall now live no longer: spare me, for my days are nothing.
[17]What is a man that thou shouldst magnify him? or why dost thou set thy heart upon him?
[18]Thou visitest him early in the morning, and thou provest him suddenly.
[19]How long wilt thou not spare me, nor suffer me to swallow down my spittle?
[20]I have sinned: what shall I do to thee, O keeper of men? why hast thou set me opposite to thee, and I am become burdensome to myself?
[21]Why dost thou not remove my sin, and why dost thou not take away my iniquity? Behold now I shall sleep in the dust: and if thou seek me in the morning, I shall not be.
|