^{1 Ref} "Isn't a man forced to labor on earth? Aren't his days like the days of a hired hand?

^{2 Ref} As a servant who earnestly desires the shadow, As a hireling who looks for his wages,

^{3 Ref} So am I made to possess months of misery, Wearisome nights are appointed to me.

^{4 Ref} 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 Ref} My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust. My skin closes up, and breaks out afresh.

^{6 Ref} My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, And are spent without hope.

^{7 Ref} Oh remember that my life is a breath. My eye shall no more see good.

^{8 Ref} The eye of him who sees me shall see me no more. Your eyes shall be on me, but I shall not be.

^{9 Ref} As the cloud is consumed and vanishes away, So he who goes down to Sheol shall come up no more.

^{10 Ref} He shall return no more to his house, Neither shall his place know him any more.

^{11 Ref} "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 Ref} Am I a sea, or a sea-monster, That you put a guard over me?

^{13 Ref} When I say, 'My bed shall comfort me, My couch shall ease my complaint;'

^{14 Ref} Then you scar me with dreams, And terrify me through visions:

^{15 Ref} So that my soul chooses strangling, Death rather than my bones.

^{16 Ref} I loathe my life. I don't want to live forever. Leave me alone; for my days are but a breath.

^{17 Ref} What is man, that you should magnify him, That you should set your mind on him,

^{18 Ref} That you should visit him every morning, And test him every moment?

^{19 Ref} How long will you not look away from me, Nor leave me alone until I swallow down my spittle?

^{20 Ref} 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 Ref} 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."