1
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“Man, who is born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble. |
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2
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Like a flower, he comes forth, then withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure. |
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3
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Do You open Your eyes to one like this? Will You bring him into judgment before You? |
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4
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Who can bring out clean from unclean? No one! |
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5
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Since his days are determined and the number of his months is with You, and since You have set limits that he cannot exceed, |
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6
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look away from him and let him rest, so he can enjoy his day as a hired hand. |
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7
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For there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its tender shoots will not fail. |
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8
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If its roots grow old in the ground and its stump dies in the soil, |
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9
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at the scent of water it will bud and put forth twigs like a sapling. |
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10
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But a man dies and is laid low; he breathes his last, and where is he? |
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11
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As water disappears from the sea and a river becomes parched and dry, |
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12
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so a man lies down and does not rise. Until the heavens are no more, he will not be awakened or roused from sleep. |
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13
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If only You would hide me in Sheol and conceal me until Your anger has passed! If only You would appoint a time for me and then remember me! |
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14
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When a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, until my renewal comes. |
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15
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You will call, and I will answer; You will desire the work of Your hands. |
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16
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For then You would count my steps, but would not keep track of my sin. |
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17
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My transgression would be sealed in a bag, and You would cover over my iniquity. |
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18
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But as a mountain erodes and crumbles and a rock is dislodged from its place, |
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19
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as water wears away the stones and torrents wash away the soil, so You destroy a man’s hope. |
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20
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You forever overpower him, and he passes on; You change his countenance and send him away. |
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21
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If his sons receive honor, he does not know it; if they are brought low, he is unaware. |
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22
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He feels only the pain of his own body and mourns only for himself.” |
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