MSTC(i)
1 Is not the life of man upon earth a very battle? Are not his days like the days of a hired servant?
2 For like as a bond servant desireth the shadow, and as a hireling would fain have an end of his work:
3 Even so have I laboured whole months long - but in vain - and many a careful night have I told.
4 When I laid me down to sleep, I said, 'O when shall I rise?' Again, I longed sore for the night. Thus am I full of sorrow, till it be dark.
5 My flesh is clothed with worms, filthiness and dust; my skin is withered, and crumpled together;
6 my days pass over more speedily than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope.
7 "O remember that my life is but a wind, and that mine eye shall no more see the pleasures thereof;
8 yea, and that none other man's eye shall see me anymore.
9 For if thou fasten thine eyes upon me, I come to naught like as a cloud is consumed and vanisheth away. Even so, he that goeth down to hell, cometh no more up,
10 nor turneth again into his house, neither shall his place know him any more.
11 Therefore I will not spare my mouth, but will speak in the trouble of my spirit; in that bitterness of my mind will I talk.
12 Am I a sea, or a whalefish, that thou keepest me so in prison?
13 When I think, 'My bed shall comfort me; I shall have some refreshing by talking to myself upon my couch,'
14 then troublest thou me with dreams - and makest me so afraid through visions
15 that my soul wisheth rather to be strangled, and my bones to be dead.
16 I can see no remedy. I shall live no more. O spare me then, for my days are but vain.
17 "What is man, that thou dost magnify him? And that thou settest thy heart upon him?
18 Thou visitest him early, and every day: and suddenly doest thou try him.
19 Why goest thou not from me, nor lettest me alone, so long till I swallow down my spittle?
20 I have offended; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men? Why hast thou made me to stand in thy way, and am so heavy a burden unto myself?
21 Why dost thou not forgive my sin? Wherefore takest thou not away my wickedness? Behold, now must I sleep in the dust: And if thou seekest me tomorrow in the morning, I shall be gone."