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 desireth the shadow, and as a hireling looketh 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 to the dawning of the day.
5. My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin is broken and become lothsome.
6. My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope.
7. O remember that my life is wind: my eye will no more see good.
8. The eye of him that hath seen me shall see me no more: thy eyes are upon me, and I am not.
9. As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth 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 whale, that thou settest a watch over me?
13. When I say, My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint;
14. Then thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions:
15. So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life.
16. I lothe it; I would not live always: let me alone; for my days are vanity.
17. What is man, that thou shouldst magnify him? and that thou shouldst set thy heart upon him?