1“Man, who is born of woman, Is [131]short-lived and full of turmoil.
2Like a flower he comes out and withers. He also flees like a shadow and does not remain.
3You also open Your eyes on him And bring [132]him into judgment with Yourself.
4Who can make the clean out of the unclean? No one!
5Since his days are determined, The number of his months is with You; And You have [133]set his limits so that he cannot pass.
6Look away from him so that he may [134]rest, Until he [135]fulfills his day like a hired worker.
7“For there is hope for a tree, When it is cut down, that it will sprout again, And its shoots will not [136]fail.
8Though its roots grow old in the ground, And its stump dies in the dry soil,
9At the scent of water it will flourish And produce sprigs like a plant.
10But a man dies and lies prostrate. A person passes away, and where is he?
11As water [137]evaporates from the sea, And a river becomes parched and dried up,
12So a man lies down and does not rise. Until the heavens no longer exist, [138]He will not awake nor be woken from [139]his sleep.
13“Oh that You would hide me in [140]Sheol, That You would conceal me until Your wrath returns to You, That You would set a limit for me and remember me!
14If a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my struggle I will wait Until my relief comes.
15You will call, and I will answer You; You will long for the work of Your hands.
16For now You number my steps, You do not observe my sin.
17My wrongdoing is sealed up in a bag, And You cover over my [141]guilt.
18“But the falling mountain [142]crumbles away, And the rock moves from its place;
19Water wears away stones, Its torrents wash away the dust of the earth; So You destroy a man’s hope.
20You forever overpower him and he departs; You change his appearance and send him away.
21His sons achieve honor, but he does not know it; Or they become insignificant, and he does not perceive it.
22However, his [143]body pains him, And his soul mourns for himself.”