| Chapter 7 |
1 |
[Is there] not an appointed time to man upon earth? [are not] his days also like the days of an hireling? --
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2 |
As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as an hireling looketh for [the reward of] his work: --
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3 |
So am I made to possess months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed to me. --
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4 |
When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise, and the night be gone? and I am full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day. --
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5 |
My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin is broken, and become loathsome. --
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6 |
My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope. --
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7 |
O remember that my life [is] wind: mine eye shall no more see good. --
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8 |
The eye of him that hath seen me shall see me no [more]: thine eyes [are] upon me, and I [am] not. --
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9 |
[As] the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no [more]. --
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10 |
He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more. --
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11 |
Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. --
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12 |
[Am] I a sea, or a whale, that thou settest a watch over me? --
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13 |
When I say, My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint; --
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14 |
Then thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions: --
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15 |
So that my soul chooseth strangling, [and] death rather than my life. --
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16 |
I loathe [it]; I would not live alway: let me alone; for my days [are] vanity. --
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17 |
What [is] man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him? --
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18 |
And [that] thou shouldest visit him every morning, [and] try him every moment? --
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19 |
How long wilt thou not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle? --
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20 |
I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men? why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself? --
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21 |
And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I [shall] not [be]. --
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