| Chapter 7 |
1 |
'Isn't a man forced to labor on earth? Aren't his days like the days of a hired hand? --
|
2 |
As a servant who earnestly desires the shadow, As a hireling who looks for his wages, --
|
3 |
So am I made to possess months of misery, Wearisome nights are appointed to me. --
|
4 |
When I lie down, I say, 'When shall I arise, and the night be gone?' I toss and turn until the dawning of the day. --
|
5 |
My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust. My skin closes up, and breaks out afresh. --
|
6 |
My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, And are spent without hope. --
|
7 |
Oh remember that my life is a breath. My eye shall no more see good. --
|
8 |
The eye of him who sees me shall see me no more. Your eyes shall be on me, but I shall not be. --
|
9 |
As the cloud is consumed and vanishes away, So he who goes down to Sheol 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 keep silent. 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 sea-monster, That you put a guard over me? --
|
13 |
When I say, 'My bed shall comfort me, My couch shall ease my complaint;' --
|
14 |
Then you scar me with dreams, And terrify me through visions: --
|
15 |
So that my soul chooses strangling, Death rather than my bones. --
|
16 |
I loathe my life. I don't want to live forever. Leave me alone; for my days are but a breath. --
|
17 |
What is man, that you should magnify him, That you should set your mind on him, --
|
18 |
That you should visit him every morning, And test him every moment? --
|
19 |
How long will you not look away from me, Nor leave me alone until I swallow down my spittle? --
|
20 |
If I have sinned, what do I do to you, you watcher of men? Why have you set me as a mark for you, So that I am a burden to myself? --
|
21 |
Why do you not pardon my disobedience, and take away my iniquity? For now shall I lie down in the dust. You will seek me diligently, but I shall not be.' --
|