Study Desk

"Is there not a time of hard service for man on earth? Are not his days also like the days of a hired man?

Like a servant who earnestly desires the shade, And like a hired man who eagerly looks for his wages,

So I have been allotted months of futility, And wearisome nights have been appointed to me.

When I lie down, I say, "When shall I arise, And the night be ended?' For I have had my fill of tossing till dawn.

My flesh is caked with worms and dust, My skin is cracked and breaks out afresh.

"My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, And are spent without hope.

Oh, remember that my life is a breath! My eye will never again see good.

The eye of him who sees me will see me no more; While your eyes are upon me, I shall no longer be.

As the cloud disappears and vanishes away, So he who goes down to the grave does not come up.

He shall never return to his house, Nor shall his place know him anymore.

"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.

Am I a sea, or a sea serpent, That You set a guard over me?

When I say, "My bed will comfort me, My couch will ease my complaint,'

Then You scare me with dreams And terrify me with visions,

So that my soul chooses stranglingAnd death rather than my body. [fn]

I loathe my life; I would not live forever. Let me alone, For my days are but a breath.

"What is man, that You should exalt him, That You should set Your heart on him,

That You should visit him every morning, And test him every moment?

How long? Will You not look away from me, And let me alone till I swallow my saliva?

Have I sinned?What have I done to You, O watcher of men?Why have You set me as Your target,So that I am a burden to myself? [fn]

Why then do You not pardon my transgression, And take away my iniquity? For now I will lie down in the dust, And You will seek me diligently, But I will no longer be."