1“Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. 2He comes forth like a flower, and is cut down; he withers away like a fleeting shadow, and disappears. 3And do You open Your eyes upon such a one, and bring me into judgment with Yourself? 4Who can make a clean thing out of an unclean? Not one. 5Since his days are determined, the number of his months are with You, You have appointed his limits that he cannot pass; 6Turn Your gaze from him, that he may rest, until he accomplishes his days, as an hired laborer.

7“For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its tender shoots will not cease. 8Though its root grows old in the earth, and its stock dies in the ground; 9Yet when it senses water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant. 10But man dies, and wastes away; yea, man expires, and where is he? 11As the waters evaporate from the sea, and the river drains and dries up: 12So man lies down, and does not rise. Until the heavens are no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.

13“O that You would hide me in the grave, that You would conceal me until Your wrath is past, that You would appoint me a set time, and remember me! 14If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change will come. 15Then You shall call, and I will answer You; You will have a desire for me, the work of Your hands. 16But for now, You number my steps; but not keep track of my sin. 17My offenses would be sealed up in a bag, and You will hide them from Your view.

18“But as a mountain crumbles, and comes to nothing in falling, and as the rock is moved out of its place. 19The waters erode away the stones; You wash away the things which grow out of the dust of the earth, and in the same way, You destroy the hope of man. 20 You prevail forever against him, and he passes away; You change his appearance, and send him away. 21His sons come to honor him, and he knows it not; and they are brought low, but he is not aware of them. 22But he feels only the pain of his own body, and he mourns only for himself.”