1"Isn't a mortal's stay on earth difficult like a hired hand's daily [work]?

2Like a slave, he longs for shade. Like a hired hand, he eagerly looks for his pay.

3Likewise, I have been given months that are of no use, and I have inherited nights filled with misery.

4When I lie down, I ask, 'When will I get up?' But the evening is long, and I'm exhausted from tossing about until dawn.

5My body is covered with maggots and scabs. My skin is crusted over with sores; then they ooze.

6My days go swifter than a weaver's shuttle. They are spent without hope.

7Remember, my life is only a breath, and never again will my eyes see anything good.

8The eye that watches over me will no longer see me. Your eye will look for me, but I'll be gone.

9As a cloud fades away and disappears, so a person goes into the grave and doesn't come back again.

10He doesn't come back home again, and his household doesn't recognize him anymore.

11So I won't keep my mouth shut, but I will speak from the distress that is in my spirit and complain about the bitterness in my soul.

12"Am I the sea or a sea monster that you have set a guard over me?

13When I say, 'My couch may give me comfort. My bed may help me bear my pain,'

14then you frighten me with dreams and terrify me with visions.

15My throat would rather be choked. My body would prefer death [to these dreams].

16I hate my life; I do not want to live forever. Leave me alone because my days are so brief.

17"What is a mortal that you should make so much of him, that you should be concerned about him?

18[What is he] that you should inspect him every morning and examine him every moment?

19Why don't you stop looking at me long enough to let me swallow my spit?

20If I sin, what can I [possibly] do to you since you insist on spying on people? Why do you make me your target? I've become a burden even to myself.

21Why don't you forgive my disobedience and take away my sin? Soon I'll lie down in the dust. Then you will search for me, but I'll be gone!"