1 ¶ Man who is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.

2 He comes up like a flower, and is cut down: like a fleeing shadow, he does not last.

3 Yet you look at such a person, and bring me into judgment with you?

4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.

5 Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with you, you have set limits that he cannot pass;

6 Turn from him, that he may rest, until as a hired servant, he completes his day.

7 ¶ For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and that it will not cease to have green branches.

8 Though its root grows old in the earth, and its stump decays in the ground;

9 Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a young plant.

10 But man dies, and lies helpless: yea, man gives up the ghost, and where is he?

11 As the waters evaporate from the lake, and the river drains and dries up:

12 So man lies down, and does not arise: until the heavens are no more, they will not awake, or be raised out of their sleep.

13 O that you would hide me in the grave, that you would conceal me, until your anger passes, that you would appoint a time for me, and remember me!

14 Once a man dies, can he live again? all the days of my appointed time I will wait, until my change comes.

15 You will call, and I will answer you: you will have desire for the work of your hands.

16 ¶ Now you number my steps: and take note of my every sin?

17 I would that my transgression was sealed up in a bag, and that you would cover my iniquity.

18 But a mountain falls and crumbles away, and the rocks are removed from their place.

19 The waters wear away stone: its torrents wash away the dust of the earth; and you destroy the hope of man.

20 You prevail forever against him, and he passes: you change his looks, and send him away.

21 His sons come to honor, and he does not know it; they are brought low, but he is not aware of it.

22 He feels only the pain of his own body, and the soul within him will mourn.