Job 14

Job Speaks of the Finality of Death

1 "Man, who is born of woman,

Is *14:1 Lit short of daysshort-lived and full of turmoil.

2 "Like a flower he comes out and withers.

He also flees like a shadow and does not remain.

3 "You also open Your eyes on him

And bring *14:3 As in some ancient versions; MT mehim 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 You have *14:5 Lit madeset his limits so that he cannot pass.

6 "Look away from him so that he may *14:6 Lit ceaserest,

Until he *14:6 Lit makes acceptablefulfills 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 *14:7 Or ceasefail.

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 produce sprigs like a plant.

10 "But a man dies and lies prostrate.

A person passes away, and where is he?

11 "As water *14:11 Lit disappearsevaporates from the sea,

And a river becomes parched and dried up,

12 So a man lies down and does not rise.

Until the heavens no longer exist,

* 14:12 Lit They He will not awake nor be woken from *14:12 Lit theirhis sleep.

13 "Oh that You would hide me in *14:13 I.e., the netherworldSheol,

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 relief 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 wrongdoing is sealed up in a bag,

And You cover over my *14:17 Or unjust deedguilt.

18 "But the falling mountain *14:18 Lit witherscrumbles 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 a 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, and he does not perceive it.

22 "However, his *14:22 Lit fleshbody pains him,

And his soul mourns for himself."