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

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.'

¹ Better `is' a name than good perfume, And the day of death than the day of birth.

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.

⁸ O that my request may come, That God may grant my hope!

⁹ That God would please -- and bruise me, Loose His hand and cut me off!

²¹ for to me to live `is' Christ, and to die gain.

²² And if to live in the flesh `is' to me a fruit of work, then what shall I choose? I know not;

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,

¹⁵ And I have used none of these things; neither did I write these things that it may be so done in my case, for `it is' good for me rather to die, than that any one may make my glorying void;

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.'

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!

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.

³ and the people strive with Moses, and speak, saying, `And oh that we had expired when our brethren expired before Jehovah!

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.'