| New International Version (NIV) | New International Version (NIV) |
| 1 "Does not man have hard service on earth? Are not his days like those of a hired man? | 1 "Does not man have hard service on earth? Are not his days like those of a hired man? |
| 2 Like a slave longing for the evening shadows, or a hired man waiting eagerly for his wages, | 2 Like a slave longing for the evening shadows, or a hired man waiting eagerly for his wages, |
| 3 so I have been allotted months of futility, and nights of misery have been assigned to me. | 3 so I have been allotted months of futility, and nights of misery have been assigned to me. |
| 4 When I lie down I think, 'How long before I get up?' The night drags on, and I toss till dawn. | 4 When I lie down I think, 'How long before I get up?' The night drags on, and I toss till dawn. |
| 5 My body is clothed with worms and scabs, my skin is broken and festering. | 5 My body is clothed with worms and scabs, my skin is broken and festering. |
| 6 "My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and they come to an end without hope. | 6 "My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and they come to an end without hope. |
| 7 Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath; my eyes will never see happiness again. | 7 Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath; my eyes will never see happiness again. |
| 8 The eye that now sees me will see me no longer; you will look for me, but I will be no more. | 8 The eye that now sees me will see me no longer; you will look for me, but I will be no more. |
| 9 As a cloud vanishes and is gone, so he who goes down to the grave does not return. | 9 As a cloud vanishes and is gone, so he who goes down to the grave does not return. |
| 10 He will never come to his house again; his place will know him no more. | 10 He will never come to his house again; his place will know him no more. |
| 11 "Therefore I will not keep silent; I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. | 11 "Therefore I will not keep silent; I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. |
| 12 Am I the sea, or the monster of the deep, that you put me under guard? | 12 Am I the sea, or the monster of the deep, that you put me under guard? |
| 13 When I think my bed will comfort me and my couch will ease my complaint, | 13 When I think my bed will comfort me and my couch will ease my complaint, |
| 14 even then you frighten me with dreams and terrify me with visions, | 14 even then you frighten me with dreams and terrify me with visions, |
| 15 so that I prefer strangling and death, rather than this body of mine. | 15 so that I prefer strangling and death, rather than this body of mine. |
| 16 I despise my life; I would not live forever. Let me alone; my days have no meaning. | 16 I despise my life; I would not live forever. Let me alone; my days have no meaning. |
| 17 "What is man that you make so much of him, that you give him so much attention, | 17 "What is man that you make so much of him, that you give him so much attention, |
| 18 that you examine him every morning and test him every moment? | 18 that you examine him every morning and test him every moment? |
| 19 Will you never look away from me, or let me alone even for an instant? | 19 Will you never look away from me, or let me alone even for an instant? |
| 20 If I have sinned, what have I done to you, O watcher of men? Why have you made me your target? Have I become a burden to you? | 20 If I have sinned, what have I done to you, O watcher of men? Why have you made me your target? Have I become a burden to you? |
| 21 Why do you not pardon my offenses and forgive my sins? For I will soon lie down in the dust; you will search for me, but I will be no more." | 21 Why do you not pardon my offenses and forgive my sins? For I will soon lie down in the dust; you will search for me, but I will be no more." |
| Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) | Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |