1 Man who is born of woman is of few days, and full of turmoil.

2 He comes forth like a flower and is cut off; he flees like a shadow and does not remain.

3 And do You open Your eyes on such a one, and bring me into judgment with Yourself?

4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? No one!

5 Since his days are determined, the number of his months is with You; You have appointed his limits, so that he cannot pass beyond it.

6 Look away from him that he may rest, so like a hired man he may be satisfied with his day.

7 For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and its tender shoots will not cease.

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

9 yet at the scent of water it will bud and bring forth branches like a plant.

10 But a strong man dies and is laid away; indeed man expires and where is he?

11 As water evaporates from the sea, and a river wastes away and dries up,

12 so man lies down and does not rise. Until the heavens are no more, they shall not awake nor be aroused from their sleep.

13 O that You would hide me in Sheol, that You would conceal me until Your wrath is turned back, that You would appoint me a decree, and remember me!

14 If a man dies, shall he revive? All the days of my service I will wait, until my change comes.

15 You shall call, and I will answer You; You shall long for the work of Your hands.

16 For now You number my steps. Do you not watch over my sin?

17 My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and You cover my iniquity.

18 But as a mountain falls and crumbles away, and as a rock is moved out of its place;

19 as waters wear away stones, and as floods wash away the dust of the earth; so You destroy the hope of man.

20 You overpower him forever, and he passes on; You change his countenance and send him away.

21 His sons come to honor, and he does not recognize them; they are diminished, and he does not perceive it.

22 But his flesh will be in pain, and his soul will mourn.