1. A great occupation was created for all men, and a heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam, from the day of their departure from their mother's womb, even until the day of their burial into the mother of all:
2. their thoughts, and the fears of their heart, their imagined expectations, and the day of their end,
3. from him who sits upon a glorious throne, even to him who is humbled in earth and ashes,
4. from him who wears hyacinth and bears a crown, even to him who is covered with rough linen: wrath, envy, tumult, restlessness, and the fear of death, continual anger and contention.
5. And in the time of rest upon his bed, the sleep of the night changes his knowledge.
6. There is little or no rest, and sleep is taken from him, as if on a day of keeping watch.
7. He is disturbed by a vision of his heart, as if he had escaped in a day of warfare. In the time of his salvation, he rose up and wondered that there was no fear.
8. This is so with all flesh, from man even to cattle, but upon sinners it is seven times as great.
9. Add to this: death, bloodshed, contention, and the spear, oppression, famine, and affliction, and scourges.