1.
Man, born of woman, short of days and full of fear.
2.
As a blossom, he emerges and is cut off; he flees like a shadow and does not stand.
3.
Do You open Your eyes also on this one and bring me into judgment with You?
4.
Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean one? Not one.
5.
If his days are limited, and the number of his months is with You, You set his bounds and he cannot cross.
6.
Turn away from him that he may rest, until, like a hireling, he desires his day.
7.
For a tree has hope; if it is cut it will again renew itself, and its bough will not cease.
8.
If its root ages in the earth, and in the dust its trunk dies,
9.
from the smell of water it will blossom, and it will produce a branch like a sapling.
10.
But a man will die and he is weakened; man perishes and where is he?
11.
As the waters fail from the sea, and the river is drained dry.
12.
So does a man lie down and not rise; until the heavens are no more, they will not awaken, nor will they be aroused from their sleep.
13.
Would that You hide me in the grave, that You would keep me secret, until Your wrath has subsided; give me a set time and remember me.
14.
If a man dies, will he live? All the days of my lifespan, I will hope, until the coming of my passing.
15.
Call and I will answer You; You desire the work of Your hands.
16.
But now, You count my steps; You do not wait for my sin.
17.
My transgression is sealed up in a bundle, and You have attached Yourself to my iniquity.
18.
And surely the falling mountain gives forth produce and the rock that moves from its place.
19.
Stones [which] the water eroded; it washes away into dust its aftergrowth, but the hope of man You have destroyed.
20.
You overpower him to eternity and he goes away, [You] change his countenance and You send him away.
21.
His sons become wealthy but he does not know it; and they become poor but he does not understand.
22.
But his flesh causes him pain, and his soul mourns for him."
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