1.
Is not man on earth for a limited time, and are his days [not] like the days of a hireling?
2.
As a slave, who longs for the shadow, and as a hireling who hopes for his wages,
3.
so was I made to possess months of futility, and they appointed wearisome nights for me.
4.
If I would lie down, I would say, 'When shall I arise, and [when will] the evening depart?' And I was sated with restlessness until twilight.
5.
My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of earth; my skin wrinkled and melted.
6.
My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle and are spent without hope.
7.
Remember that my life is wind; my eye will not return to see good.
8.
The eye of him who sees me shall see me no more; set Your eyes upon me and I will be here no longer.
9.
Just as a cloud is consumed and goes away, so will one who descends to the grave not ascend.
10.
He shall never again return to his house, neither shall his place recognize him again.
11.
Neither will I restrain my mouth; I will speak with the anguish of my spirit, I will complain with the bitterness of my soul.
12.
Am I a sea or a sea monster, that You place a watch over me?
13.
Should I say that my bed shall comfort me, that my couch shall bear my speech
14.
You terrify me with dreams, and You frighten me with visions,
15.
so that my soul chooses strangling; death rather than these my bones.
16.
I despised [my life]; I will not live forever; desist from me for my life is futility.
17.
What is man that You should give him importance, or that You should pay attention to him?
18.
That you should visit him every morning and try him every moment.
19.
How long will You not desist from me, will You not let me go until I swallow my spit?
20.
I have sinned; what do I do to You? O watcher of man, why have You made me as a mark for You, so that I have become a burden to myself?
21.
Now why do You not forgive my transgression and remove my iniquity, for now I will lie on the dust; and You shall seek me but I am not here.
