[1] "All of us born to women live only a few days and have a lot of trouble. [2] We grow up like flowers and then dry up and go away. We are like a passing shadow that does not last. [3] Lord, do you need to watch someone like this? Do you need to bring him before you to be judged? [4] I wish something clean could come from something unclean. But it never can! [5] Our time is limited. You have given us only so many months to live. You have set limits we cannot go beyond. [6] So look away from us and leave us alone. Leave us alone until we put in our time like a hired man. [7] "There is hope for a tree. If you cut it down, it will grow again. It will keep sending out new branches. [8] Its roots may grow old in the ground. And its stump may die in the dirt. [9] But at the smell of water it will bud. It will put out new shoots like a plant. [10] But we die, and our bodies are laid in the ground. We take our last breath and are gone. [11] Water disappears from a lake. And a river loses its water and dries up. [12] In the same way we lie down and do not rise again. We will not get up or be awakened until the heavens disappear. [13] "I wish you would hide me where the dead are. Hide me until your anger is gone. I wish you would set a time and then remember me! [14] Will the dead live again? I will wait, struggling hard until things change for me. [15] You will call, and I will answer you. You will desire the creature your hands have made. [16] Then you will count my steps. But you will not keep track of my sin. [17] My wrongs will be closed up in a bag. And you will cover up my sin. [18] "A mountain washes away and crumbles. And a rock can be moved from its place. [19] Water washes over stones and wears them down. And rushing waters wash away the dirt. In the same way, you destroy hope. [20] You defeat man forever, and he is gone. You change his appearance and send him away. [21] His sons are honored, but he does not know it. His sons are disgraced, but he does not see it. [22] He only feels the pain of his body. And he feels sorry only for himself."
