Chapter 14

Man [that is] born⁷ of a woman [is] of few days, and full of trouble.

He cometh forth¹ like a flower, and is cut down:⁴ he fleeth⁴ also as a shadow, and continueth⁴ not.

And dost thou open¹ thine eyes upon such an one, and bringest⁵⁵ me into judgment with thee?

Who can bring⁴ a clean [thing] out of an unclean? not one.

Seeing his days [are] determined,⁷ the number of his months [are] with thee, thou hast appointed¹ his bounds that he cannot pass;⁴

Turn³ from him, that he may rest,⁴ till he shall accomplish,⁴ as an hireling, his day.

For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down,¹¹ that it will sprout⁵⁵ again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.⁴

Though the root thereof wax old⁵⁵ in the earth, and the stock thereof die⁴ in the ground;

[Yet] through the scent of water it will bud,⁵⁵ and bring forth¹ boughs like a plant.

But man dieth,⁴ and wasteth away:⁴ yea, man giveth up the ghost,⁴ and where [is] he?

[As] the waters fail¹ from the sea, and the flood decayeth⁴ and drieth up:¹

So man lieth down,¹ and riseth⁴ not: till the heavens [be] no more, they shall not awake,⁵⁵ nor be raised¹¹ out of their sleep.

O that⁴ thou wouldest hide⁵⁵ me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret,⁵⁵ until thy wrath be past,² that thou wouldest appoint⁴ me a set time, and remember⁴ me!

If a man die,⁴ shall he live⁴ [again]? all the days of my appointed time will I wait,¹⁷ till my change come.²

Thou shalt call,⁴ and I will answer⁴ thee: thou wilt have a desire⁴ to the work of thine hands.

For now thou numberest⁴ my steps: dost thou not watch⁴ over my sin?

My transgression [is] sealed up⁷ in a bag, and thou sewest up⁴ mine iniquity.

And surely the mountain falling⁶ cometh to nought,⁴ and the rock is removed⁴ out of his place.

The waters wear¹ the stones: thou washest away⁴ the things which grow [out] of the dust of the earth; and thou destroyest⁵² the hope of man.

Thou prevailest⁴ for ever against him, and he passeth:⁴ thou changest¹⁸ his countenance, and sendest him away.¹⁷

His sons come to honour,⁴ and he knoweth⁴ [it] not; and they are brought low,⁴ but he perceiveth⁴ [it] not of them.

But his flesh upon him shall have pain,⁴ and his soul within him shall mourn.⁴