1. |
My soul hath been weary of my life, I leave off my talking to myself, I speak in the bitterness of my soul. |
2. |
I say unto God, `Do not condemn me, Let me know why Thou dost strive `with' me. |
3. |
Is it good for Thee that Thou dost oppress? That Thou despisest the labour of Thy hands, And on the counsel of the wicked hast shone? |
4. |
Eyes of flesh hast Thou? As man seeth -- seest Thou? |
5. |
As the days of man `are' Thy days? Thy years as the days of a man? |
6. |
That Thou inquirest for mine iniquity, And for my sin seekest? |
7. |
For Thou knowest that I am not wicked, And there is no deliverer from Thy hand. |
8. |
Thy hands have taken pains about me, And they make me together round about, And Thou swallowest me up! |
9. |
Remember, I pray Thee, That as clay Thou hast made me, And unto dust Thou dost bring me back. |
10. |
Dost Thou not as milk pour me out? And as cheese curdle me? |
11. |
Skin and flesh Thou dost put on me, And with bones and sinews dost fence me. |
12. |
Life and kindness Thou hast done with me. And Thy inspection hath preserved my spirit. |
13. |
And these Thou hast laid up in Thy heart, I have known that this `is' with Thee. |
14. |
If I sinned, then Thou hast observed me, And from mine iniquity dost not acquit me, |
15. |
If I have done wickedly -- wo to me, And righteously -- I lift not up my head, Full of shame -- then see my affliction, |
16. |
And it riseth -- as a lion Thou huntest me. And Thou turnest back -- Thou shewest Thyself wonderful in me. |
17. |
Thou renewest Thy witnesses against me, And dost multiply Thine anger with me, Changes and warfare `are' with me. |
18. |
And why from the womb Hast Thou brought me forth? I expire, and the eye doth not see me. |
19. |
As I had not been, I am, From the belly to the grave I am brought, |
20. |
Are not my days few? Cease then, and put from me, And I brighten up a little, |
21. |
Before I go, and return not, Unto a land of darkness and death-shade, |
22. |
A land of obscurity as thick darkness, Death-shade -- and no order, And the shining `is' as thick darkness.' |