1. Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth? are not his days also like the days of a hireling?
2. As a servant earnestly desires the shadow, and as a hireling looks for the reward of his work:
3. So am I made to possess months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed to me.
4. When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise, and the night be gone? 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 become loathsome.
6. My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope.
7. O remember that my life is a breath: my eye shall no more see good.
8. The eye of him that has seen me shall see me no more: your eyes are upon me, and I am not.
9. As the cloud is consumed and vanishes away: so he that goes down to the grave shall come up no more.
10. He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more.
11. Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.
12. Am I a sea, or a sea monster, that you set a watch over me?