| Chapter 7 |
1 |
The life of man upon earth is a warfare, and his days are like the days of a hireling. --
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2 |
As a servant longeth for the shade, as the hireling looketh for the end of his work; --
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3 |
So I also have had empty months, and have numbered to myself wearisome nights. --
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4 |
If I lie down to sleep, I shall say: When shall arise? and again I shall look for the evening, and shall be filled with sorrows even till darkness. --
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5 |
My flesh is clothed with rottenness and the filth of dust, my skin is withered and drawn together. --
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6 |
My days have passed more swiftly than the web is cut by the weaver, and are consumed without any hope. --
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7 |
Remember that my life is but wind, and my eyes shall not return to see good things. --
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8 |
Nor shall the sight of man behold me: thy eyes are upon me, and I shall be no more. --
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9 |
As a cloud is consumed, and passeth away: so he that shall go down to hell shall not come up. --
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10 |
Nor shall he return my more into his house, neither shall his place know him any more. --
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11 |
Wherefore I will not spare my month, I will speak in the affliction of my spirit: I will talk with the bitterness of my soul. --
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12 |
Am I a sea, or a whale, that thou hast enclosed me in a prison? --
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13 |
If I say: My bed shall comfort me, and I shall be relieved speaking with myself on my couch: --
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14 |
Thou wilt frighten me with dreams and terrify me with visions. --
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15 |
So that my soul rather chooseth hanging, and my bones death. --
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16 |
I have done with hope, I shall now live no longer: spare me, for my days are nothing. --
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17 |
What is a man that thou shouldst magnify him? or why dost thou set thy heart upon him? --
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18 |
Thou visitest him early in the morning, and thou provest him suddenly. --
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19 |
How long wilt thou not spare me, nor suffer me to swallow down my spittle? --
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20 |
I have sinned: what shall I do to thee, O keeper of men? why hast thou set me opposite to thee, and I am become burdensome to myself? --
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21 |
Why dost thou not remove my sin, and why dost thou not take away my iniquity? Behold now I shall sleep in the dust: and if thou seek me in the morning, I shall not be. --
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