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