1 BEHOLD there is an appointed time for man upon earth, and his days are like the days of a hireling.

2 As a servant who eagerly longs for eventide, and as a hireling who looks to complete his job;

3 So have I inherited months of vanity, and wearisome nights are meted out to me.

4 When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise? and the night seems long; when I go to rest, I toss about till the dawning of the day.

5 My flesh is covered with worms, and my body with dust; my skin is shrunk, and falls apart.

6 My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope.

7 O remember that the spirit is still alive; even yet my eye shall again see good.

8 The eye of him who has seen me shall rejoice no more; thine eyes are upon me, and vet I am gone.

9 As the cloud fades away and disappears, so he who descends to Sheol shall not ascend any more.

10 He shall return no more to his house, neither shall he recognize his place any more.

11 Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

12 Am I a sea, or a sea monster, that thou settest a watch over me?

13 For I said that thou shalt comfort me, and I will be relieved of the pain of my sickbed.

14 And, behold, thou dost scare me with dreams, and terrify me through visions;

15 Thou hast drawn my life out of destruction, and my bones out of death.

16 I am despondent; I would not live for ever; leave me alone, for my days are vanity.

17 What is man, that thou shouldst destroy him? And that thou shouldst think of him;

18 And that thou shouldst visit him every morning, and try him every moment?

19 How long wilt thou not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow my spittle?

20 If I have sinned; what have I done to thee, O thou Creator of men? Why hast thou caused me to encounter thee? Thou hast become a burden to me.

21 Until when wilt thou not forgive my transgressions and remove my iniquity? For now I shall lie in the dust; and thou shalt seek me, but I shall be no more.