1
“Adam, born of ishah, is short of days and full of agitation.
2
Like a blossom he comes forth and is cut; he flees like a shadow and does not stand.
3
Yet upon this one You open Your eyes, and You bring me into Judgment with You.
4
Who can bring the pure from the unclean? Not one.
5
If his days are determined, the number of his new moons is with You; You made his boundary, and he cannot cross it.
6
Look away from him, that he may cease, until he delights in his day like a hired worker.
7
For there is hope for a tree: if it is cut, it shall sprout again, and its tender branch shall not cease.
8
Though its root grows old in the earth and its stump dies in the dust,
9
at the scent of water it blossoms and produces a branch like a plant.
10
But a mighty one dies and is laid low; Adam expires, and where is he?
11
Waters depart from a sea, and a river becomes desolate and dry.
12
So an ish lies down and does not rise. Until the heavens are no more, they do not awake and are not roused from their sleep.
13
Who shall grant that You conceal me in Sheol, that You hide me until Your anger turns back, that You set an appointed time for me and remember me?
14
If a mighty one dies, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed service I would wait until my change came.
15
You would call, and I would answer You; You would long for the work of Your hands.
16
For then You would number my steps; You would not watch over my sin.
17
My transgression would be sealed in a pouch, and You would plaster over my crookedness.
18
Yet a falling mountain crumbles, and a rock moves from its place.
19
Waters wear away stones; their outpouring washes away the dust of the earth. So You cause the hope of mortal man to perish.
20
You overpower him forever, and he walks away; You change his face and send him away.
21
His sons are honored, but he does not know; they are diminished, but he does not discern them.
22
Only his flesh upon him has pain, and his being within him mourns.”