New Living Translation | New Living Translation |
1“How frail is humanity! How short is life, how full of trouble! | 1“How frail is humanity! How short is life, how full of trouble! |
2We blossom like a flower and then wither. Like a passing shadow, we quickly disappear. | 2We blossom like a flower and then wither. Like a passing shadow, we quickly disappear. |
3Must you keep an eye on such a frail creature and demand an accounting from me? | 3Must you keep an eye on such a frail creature and demand an accounting from me? |
4Who can bring purity out of an impure person? No one! | 4Who can bring purity out of an impure person? No one! |
5You have decided the length of our lives. You know how many months we will live, and we are not given a minute longer. | 5You have decided the length of our lives. You know how many months we will live, and we are not given a minute longer. |
6So leave us alone and let us rest! We are like hired hands, so let us finish our work in peace. | 6So leave us alone and let us rest! We are like hired hands, so let us finish our work in peace. |
7“Even a tree has more hope! If it is cut down, it will sprout again and grow new branches. | 7“Even a tree has more hope! If it is cut down, it will sprout again and grow new branches. |
8Though its roots have grown old in the earth and its stump decays, | 8Though its roots have grown old in the earth and its stump decays, |
9at the scent of water it will bud and sprout again like a new seedling. | 9at the scent of water it will bud and sprout again like a new seedling. |
10“But when people die, their strength is gone. They breathe their last, and then where are they? | 10“But when people die, their strength is gone. They breathe their last, and then where are they? |
11As water evaporates from a lake and a river disappears in drought, | 11As water evaporates from a lake and a river disappears in drought, |
12people are laid to rest and do not rise again. Until the heavens are no more, they will not wake up nor be roused from their sleep. | 12people are laid to rest and do not rise again. Until the heavens are no more, they will not wake up nor be roused from their sleep. |
13“I wish you would hide me in the grave and forget me there until your anger has passed. But mark your calendar to think of me again! | 13“I wish you would hide me in the grave and forget me there until your anger has passed. But mark your calendar to think of me again! |
14Can the dead live again? If so, this would give me hope through all my years of struggle, and I would eagerly await the release of death. | 14Can the dead live again? If so, this would give me hope through all my years of struggle, and I would eagerly await the release of death. |
15You would call and I would answer, and you would yearn for me, your handiwork. | 15You would call and I would answer, and you would yearn for me, your handiwork. |
16For then you would guard my steps, instead of watching for my sins. | 16For then you would guard my steps, instead of watching for my sins. |
17My sins would be sealed in a pouch, and you would cover my guilt. | 17My sins would be sealed in a pouch, and you would cover my guilt. |
18“But instead, as mountains fall and crumble and as rocks fall from a cliff, | 18“But instead, as mountains fall and crumble and as rocks fall from a cliff, |
19as water wears away the stones and floods wash away the soil, so you destroy people’s hope. | 19as water wears away the stones and floods wash away the soil, so you destroy people’s hope. |
20You always overpower them, and they pass from the scene. You disfigure them in death and send them away. | 20You always overpower them, and they pass from the scene. You disfigure them in death and send them away. |
21They never know if their children grow up in honor or sink to insignificance. | 21They never know if their children grow up in honor or sink to insignificance. |
22They suffer painfully; their life is full of trouble.” | 22They suffer painfully; their life is full of trouble.” |
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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