Dual Panel1IS THERE not an [appointed] warfare {and} hard labor to man upon earth? And are not his days like the days of a hireling?
2As a servant earnestly longs for the shade {and} the evening shadows, and as a hireling who looks for the reward of his work,
3So am I allotted months of futile [suffering], and [long] nights of misery are appointed to me.
4When I lie down I say, When shall I arise and the night be gone? And I am full of tossing to and fro till the dawning of the day.
5My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin is broken and has become loathsome, {and} it closes up and breaks out afresh.
6My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope.
7Oh, remember that my life is but wind (a puff, a breath, a sob); my eye shall see good no more.
8The eye of him who sees me shall see me no more; while your eyes are upon me, I shall be gone.
9As the cloud is consumed and vanishes away, so he who goes down to Sheol (the place of the dead) shall come up no more.
10He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more.
11Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul [O Lord]!
12Am I the sea, or the sea monster, that You set a watch over me?
13When I say, My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint,
14Then You scare me with dreams and terrify me through visions,
15So that I would choose strangling {and} death rather than these my bones.
16I loathe my life; I would not live forever. Let me alone, for my days are a breath (futility).
17What is man that You should magnify him {and} think him important? And that You should set Your mind upon him?
18And that You should visit him every morning and try him every moment?
19How long will Your [plaguing] glance not look away from me, nor You let me alone till I swallow my spittle?
20If I have sinned, what [harm] have I done You, O You Watcher {and} Keeper of men? Why have You set me as a mark for You, so that I am a burden to myself [and You]?
21And why do You not pardon my transgression and take away my iniquity? For now shall I lie down in the dust; and [even if] You will seek me diligently, [it will be too late, for] I shall not be.