11. As the water of a lake dries upor a river bed becomes parched and dry,
12. so he lies down and does not rise;till the heavens are no more, people will not awakeor be roused from their sleep.
13. ‘If only you would hide me in the graveand conceal me till your anger has passed!If only you would set me a timeand then remember me!
14. If someone dies, will they live again?All the days of my hard serviceI will wait for my renewal to come.
15. You will call and I will answer you;you will long for the creature your hands have made.
16. Surely then you will count my stepsbut not keep track of my sin.
17. My offences will be sealed up in a bag;you will cover over my sin.
18. ‘But as a mountain erodes and crumblesand as a rock is moved from its place,
19. as water wears away stonesand torrents wash away the soil,so you destroy a person’s hope.
20. You overpower them once for all, and they are gone;you change their countenance and send them away.