Job 14
1HE who is born of a woman waxeth old like a leathern bag: or like a garment which is moth-eaten; for he is mortal, short-lived and full of disquiet:
2or like a flower which fell when in bloom. He glideth away indeed like a shadow and can make no stay.
3And is it not such a one Thou hast called to account; and caused such a one to come to trial before Thee?
4For who can be free from stain? Surely none.
5Whether the course of his life on earth be one day; or months be numbered out for him, he cometh to the term thou hast set, but cannot pass it.
6Turn away from him, that he may take rest, and comfort his life like a hireling.
7For there is hope for a tree; for if lopped, it may sprout again, and the tender branch may not fail.
8And if its root become old in the earth, or die on a rock:
9its stem by the scent of water may blossom; and produce a crop like a tree lately planted.
10But when a man dieth he is gone: when a mortal falleth, he is no more.
11For in a course of time a sea is spent; and a river when unsupplied is dried up:
12and man when composed in the grave cannot rise again—until the heaven be folded up they shall not be awakened from their sleep.
13O! that Thou hadst kept me in the mansion of the dead; and hid me till thine indignation should cease: and that Thou wouldst set me a time when Thou wouldst remember me
14(for though a man die he may be revived, after finishing the days of this life of his); I would wait patiently, until I come again into existence.
15Then call and I will answer. But reject not the works of Thy hands.
16Now Thou hast numbered up my devices, and not one of my inadvertencies could escape Thee.
17Thou hast sealed up mine iniquities in a bag; and set a mark on every transgression, which I inadvertently committed.
18But not to mention that a falling mountain will continue its fall; even a rock may by force be removed from its place.
19Waters have worn stones smooth; and waters have washed away mounds of earth; and Thou hast destroyed the patience of man.
20Thou hast brought him to an end, and he is gone: Thou hast set Thy face against him and dismissed him.
21And though his children be multiplied, he knoweth it not: and if they become few in number, he doth nor perceive it.
22His flesh hath been for nothing but to suffer pain; and his soul only to suffer grief.