Job Laments the Finality of Death

1“ Man, born of a woman,

is short of days and full of trouble.

2Like a flower he comes forth and withers,

and he flees like a shadow, and does not stand.

3And upon this one do You open Your eyes;

and bring me into judgment with You?

4Who will bring clean from unclean?

Not one!

5Since his days are determined,

the number of his months is with You;

his limits You have made,

and he cannot pass over them.

6Look away from him that he may rest,

until he can enjoy his day like a hireling.

7For there is hope for a tree,

if it is cut down, that again it will pass through,

and its tender shoots will not cease.

8Though its root may grow old in the earth,

and its stump may die in the dirt,

9from the scent of water it will sprout,

and will make branches like a fresh planting.

10And a man dies and is laid low;

and a man expires, and where is he?

11As waters disappear from the sea,

and a river dries up and withers,

12so a man lies down

and does not arise;

until the heavens are no more,

they will not awaken and they will not be roused from their sleep.

13Who will give that You would hide me in Sheol,

that You would hide me until the turning back of Your anger,

that You would set for me a limit,

and then remember me!

14If a man dies, will he live?

All the days of my hardship, I will wait,

until the coming of my change.†

15You will call, and I will answer You;

You will desire the work of Your hands.

16For now, You count my steps;

You do not watch over my sin.

17My transgression is sealed up in a bundle,

and You plaster over my iniquity.

18But as a falling mountain wastes away,

and as a rock moves from its place,

19as stones by the waters are worn away,

and her torrents engulf the dust of the earth,

so the hope of man You destroy.

20You prevail over him forever, and he goes away;

You change his face and send him away.

21His sons gain honor, and he does not know it;

and they are diminished, and he does not perceive it.

22Indeed his flesh upon him is in pain,

and his soul mourns over him.”