1. Man certainly has an appointed amount of time upon earth, and his days are like the days of a hireling.
2. As a slave earnestly desires the shade and as a hireling waits for rest from his work,
3. so I am made to possess months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed to me.
4. When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise? I measure the night, and I am full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day.
5. My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin is broken and abominable.
6. My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle and are spent without hope.
7. Remember thou that my life is wind and that my eyes shall not return to see good.
8. The eyes of those that see me now shall not see me again; thine eyes shall be upon me, and I will cease to be.
9. As the cloud is consumed and vanishes away, so he that goes down to Sheol, who shall not come up again;
10. he shall return no more to his house; neither shall his place know him any more.
11. Therefore, I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.