¹⁷ And I have hated life, for sad to me `is' the work that hath been done under the sun, for the whole `is' vanity and vexation of spirit.

¹¹ and I have looked on all my works that my hands have done, and on the labour that I have laboured to do, and lo, the whole `is' vanity and vexation of spirit, and there is no advantage under the sun!

²³ for I am pressed by the two, having the desire to depart, and to be with Christ, for it is far better,

²⁴ and to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account,

²⁵ and of this being persuaded, I have known that I shall remain and continue with you all, to your advancement and joy of the faith,

³ Why dost Thou shew me iniquity, And perversity dost cause to behold? And spoiling and violence `are' before me, And there is strife, and contention doth lift `itself' up,

⁸ And it cometh to pass, about the rising of the sun, that God appointeth a cutting east wind, and the sun smiteth on the head of Jonah, and he wrappeth himself up, and asketh his soul to die, and saith, `Better `is' my death than my life.'

³ And now, O Jehovah, take, I pray Thee, my soul from me, for better `is' my death than my life.'

¹⁴ And a spirit hath lifted me up, and doth take me away, and I go bitterly, in the heat of my spirit, and the hand of Jehovah on me `is' strong.

¹⁴ Cursed `is' the day in which I was born, The day that my mother bare me, Let it not be blessed!

¹⁵ Cursed `is' the man who bore tidings `to' my father, saying, `Born to thee hath been a child -- a male,' Making him very glad!

¹⁶ Then hath that man been as the cities, That Jehovah overthrew, and repented not, And he hath heard a cry at morning, And a shout at time of noon.

¹⁷ Because he hath not put me to death from the womb, And my mother is to me -- my grave, And her womb a pregnancy age-during.

¹⁸ Why `is' this? from the womb I have come out, To see labour and sorrow, Yea, consumed in shame are my days!

⁹ Better `is' the sight of the eyes than the going of the soul. This also `is' vanity and vexation of spirit.

² And I am praising the dead who have already died above the living who are yet alive.

¹⁶ And again, I have seen under the sun the place of judgment -- there `is' the wicked; and the place of righteousness -- there `is' the wicked.

²² For what hath been to a man by all his labour, and by the thought of his heart that he laboured at under the sun?

¹⁴ I have seen all the works that have been done under the sun, and lo, the whole `is' vanity and vexation of spirit!

⁴⁷ Remember, I pray Thee, what `is' life-time? Wherefore in vain hast Thou created All the sons of men?

¹³ O that in Sheol Thou wouldst conceal me, Hide me till the turning of Thine anger, Set for me a limit, and remember me.

¹⁵ And my soul chooseth strangling, Death rather than my bones.

¹⁶ I have wasted away -- not to the age do I live. Cease from me, for my days `are' vanity.

²⁰ Why giveth He to the miserable light, and life to the bitter soul?

²¹ Who are waiting for death, and it is not, And they seek it above hid treasures.

²² Who are glad -- unto joy, They rejoice when they find a grave.

⁴ and he himself hath gone into the wilderness a day's Journey, and cometh and sitteth under a certain retem-tree, and desireth his soul to die, and saith, `Enough, now, O Jehovah, take my soul, for I `am' not better than my fathers.'

¹⁵ and if thus Thou art doing to me -- slay me, I pray Thee; slay, if I have found grace in thine eyes, and let me not look on mine affliction.'