1Man born of woman

is short of days and full of trouble. a

2He blossoms like a flower, then withers; b

he flees like a shadow and does not last.

3Do You really take notice of one like this?

Will You bring me into judgment against You? c  d

4Who can produce something pure from what is impure?

No one!

5Since man’s days are determined

and the number of his months depends on You,

and since You have set e limits he cannot pass, f

6look away from him and let him rest

so that he can enjoy his day like a hired hand. g

7There is hope for a tree:

If it is cut down, it will sprout again,

and its shoots will not die.

8If its roots grow old in the ground

and its stump starts to die in the soil,

9the smell of water makes it thrive

and produce twigs like a sapling. h

10But a man dies and fades away;

he breathes his last — where is he?

11As water disappears from the sea

and a river becomes parched and dry,

12so man lies down never to rise again.

They will not wake up until the heavens are no more; i

they will not stir from their sleep.

13If only You would hide me in ^•Sheol j

and conceal me until Your anger k passes.

If only You would appoint a time for me

and then remember me.

14When a man dies, will he come back to life?

If so, I would wait l all the days of my struggle m

until my relief comes.

15You would call, and I would answer You.

You would long for the work of Your hands. n

16For then You would count my steps o

but would not take note p of my sin.

17My rebellion would be sealed up in a bag,

and You would cover over my iniquity.

18But as a mountain collapses and crumbles

and a rock is dislodged from its place,

19as water wears away stones

and torrents wash away the soil from the land,

so You destroy a man’s hope. q

20You completely overpower him, and he passes on;

You change his appearance and send him away.

21If his sons receive honor, he does not know it;

if they become insignificant, he is unaware of it. r

22He feels only the pain of his own body

and mourns only for himself.