Job 14

1Man, born of woman, is short of days and full of turmoil.

2Like a flower he comes forth and withers; he flees like a shadow and does not remain.

3Yet on such a one you open your eyes, and you bring me into judgment with you.

4Who can bring what is clean out of what is unclean? No one.

5Since his days are determined, the number of his months is with you; you have set his limit, and he cannot pass it.

6Look away from him, so that he may rest, until he enjoys his day like a hired worker.

7For there is hope for a tree: if it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its shoot will not cease.

8Though its root grows old in the earth, and its stump dies in the dust,

9at the scent of water it will bud and put forth branches like a plant.

10But a man dies and grows weak; a human being breathes his last, and where is he?

11As waters disappear from the sea, and a river dries up and withers,

12So a man lies down and does not rise; until the heavens are no more, they will not awake or be roused from their sleep.

13Oh, that you would hide me in Sheol, that you would conceal me until your anger turns away, that you would appoint a time for me and remember me!

14If a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my hard service I would wait, until my change comes.

15You would call, and I would answer you; you would long for the work of your hands.

16For then you would count my steps; you would not keep watch over my sin.

17My transgression would be sealed up in a bag, and you would cover over my iniquity.

18But a mountain falls and crumbles away, and a rock is moved from its place.

19Water wears away stones; its torrents wash away the soil of the earth; so you destroy the hope of man.

20You overpower him forever, and he departs; you alter his face and send him away.

21His sons come to honor, and he does not know it; they are brought low, and he does not perceive it.

22Only his own flesh feels pain, and his own soul mourns.