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