1. Great travail is created for every man, And a heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam, From the day of their coming forth from their mother’s womb, Until the day for their burial in the mother of all things.
2. The expectation of things to come, and the day of death, Trouble their thoughts, and cause fear of heart;
3. From him that sits on a throne of glory, Even to him that is humbled in earth and ashes;
4. From him that wears purple and a crown, Even to him that is clothed with a hempen frock.
5. There is wrath, and jealousy, and trouble, and disquiet, And fear of death, and anger, and strife; And in the time of rest upon his bed His night sleep does change his knowledge.
6. A little or nothing is his resting, And afterward in his sleep, as in a day of keeping watch, He is troubled in the vision of his heart, As one that has escaped from the front of battle.
7. In the very time of his deliverance he awakens, And marvels that the fear is nothing.
8. It is thus with all flesh, from man to beast, And upon sinners sevenfold more.
9. Death, and bloodshed, and strife, and sword, Calamities, famine, tribulation, and the scourge;
10. All these things were created for the wicked, And because of them came the flood.
11. All things that are of the earth turn to the earth again: And all things that are of the waters return into the sea.
12. All bribery and injustice shall be blotted out; And good faith shall stand for ever.
13. The goods of the unjust shall be dried up like a river, And like a great thunder in rain shall go off in noise.
14. In opening his hands a man shall be made glad: So shall transgressors utterly fail.