New International Version NIV
World English Bible WEB
1 “Do not mortals have hard service on earth? Are not their days like those of hired laborers?
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"Isn't a man forced to labor on earth? Aren't his days like the days of a hired hand?
2 Like a slave longing for the evening shadows, or a hired laborer waiting to be paid,
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As a servant who earnestly desires the shadow, As a hireling who looks for his wages,
3 so I have been allotted months of futility, and nights of misery have been assigned to me.
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So am I made to possess months of misery, Wearisome nights are appointed to me.
4 When I lie down I think, ‘How long before I get up?’ The night drags on, and I toss and turn until dawn.
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When I lie down, I say, 'When shall I arise, and the night be gone?' I toss and turn until the dawning of the day.
5 My body is clothed with worms and scabs, my skin is broken and festering.
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My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust. My skin closes up, and breaks out afresh.
6 “My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and they come to an end without hope.
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My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, And are spent without hope.
7 Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath; my eyes will never see happiness again.
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Oh remember that my life is a breath. My eye shall no more see good.
8 The eye that now sees me will see me no longer; you will look for me, but I will be no more.
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The eye of him who sees me shall see me no more. Your eyes shall be on me, but I shall not be.
9 As a cloud vanishes and is gone, so one who goes down to the grave does not return.
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As the cloud is consumed and vanishes away, So he who goes down to Sheol shall come up no more.
10 He will never come to his house again; his place will know him no more.
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He shall return no more to his house, Neither shall his place know him any 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.
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"Therefore I will not keep silent. I will speak 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?
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Am I a sea, or a sea-monster, That you put a guard over me?
13 When I think my bed will comfort me and my couch will ease my complaint,
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When I say, 'My bed shall comfort me, My couch shall ease my complaint;'
14 even then you frighten me with dreams and terrify me with visions,
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Then you scar me with dreams, And terrify me through visions:
15 so that I prefer strangling and death, rather than this body of mine.
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So that my soul chooses strangling, Death rather than my bones.
16 I despise my life; I would not live forever. Let me alone; my days have no meaning.
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I loathe my life. I don't want to live forever. Leave me alone; for my days are but a breath.
17 “What is mankind that you make so much of them, that you give them so much attention,
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What is man, that you should magnify him, That you should set your mind on him,
18 that you examine them every morning and test them every moment?
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That you should visit him every morning, And test him every moment?
19 Will you never look away from me, or let me alone even for an instant?
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How long will you not look away from me, Nor leave me alone until I swallow down my spittle?
20 If I have sinned, what have I done to you, you who see everything we do? Why have you made me your target? Have I become a burden to you?
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If I have sinned, what do I do to you, you watcher of men? Why have you set me as a mark for you, So that I am a burden to myself?
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.”
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Why do you not pardon my disobedience, and take away my iniquity? For now shall I lie down in the dust. You will seek me diligently, but I shall not be."
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
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