141 " Man , who is born of woman , Is short-lived e and full of turmoil . 2 " Like a flower he comes forth and withers . He also flees like a shadow and does not remain . 3 "You also open Your eyes on him And bring him into judgment with Yourself. 4 " Who can make the clean out of the unclean ? No one ! 5 "Since his days are determined , The number of his months is with You; And his limits You have set so that he cannot pass . 6 " Turn Your gaze from him that he may rest , Until he fulfills his day like a hired man .
7 "For there is hope for a tree , When it is cut down , that it will sprout again , And its shoots will not fail . 8 "Though its roots grow old in the ground And its stump dies in the dry soil , 9 At the scent of water it will flourish And put forth sprigs like a plant . 10 "But man dies and lies prostrate . Man expires , and where is he? 11 "As water evaporates from the sea , And a river becomes parched and dried up, 12 So man lies down and does not rise . Until the heavens are no longer , He will not awake nor be aroused out of his sleep . 13 "Oh e that You would hide me in Sheol , That You would conceal me until Your wrath returns to You, That You would set a limit for me and remember me! 14 "If a man dies , will he live again? All the days of my struggle I will wait Until my change comes . 15 "You will call , and I will answer You; You will long for the work of Your hands .
16 "For now You number my steps , You do not observe my sin . 17 "My transgression is sealed up in a bag , And You wrap up my iniquity . 18 "But the falling mountain crumbles away , And the rock moves from its place ; 19 Water wears away stones , Its torrents wash away the dust of the earth ; So You destroy man's hope . 20 "You forever overpower him and he departs ; You change his appearance and send him away . 21 "His sons achieve honor , but he does not know it; Or they become insignificant , but he does not perceive it. 22 "But his body pains him, And he mourns only for himself ."
