Job 14
1Anyone born of woman
is short of days and full of trouble.2
3He blossoms like a flower, then withers; he flees like a shadow and does not last.4
5Do you really take notice of one like this? Will you bring me into judgment against you?6
7Who can produce something pure from what is impure? No one!8
9Since a person’s days are determined and the number of his months depends on you, and since you have set limits he cannot pass,10
11look away from him and let him rest so that he can enjoy his day like a hired worker.12
13There is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its shoots will not die.14
15If its roots grow old in the ground and its stump starts to die in the soil,16
17the scent of water makes it thrive and produce twigs like a sapling.18
19But a person dies and fades away; he breathes his last — where is he?20
21As water disappears from a lake and a river becomes parched and dry,22
23so people lie down never to rise again. They will not wake up until the heavens are no more; they will not stir from their sleep.24
25If only you would hide me in Sheol and conceal me until your anger passes. If only you would appoint a time for me and then remember me.26
27When a person dies, will he come back to life? If so, I would wait all the days of my struggle until my relief comes.28
29You would call, and I would answer you. You would long for the work of your hands.30
31For then you would count my steps but would not take note of my sin.32
33My rebellion would be sealed up in a bag, and you would cover over my iniquity.34
35But as a mountain collapses and crumbles and a rock is dislodged from its place,36
37as water wears away stones and torrents wash away the soil from the land, so you destroy a man’s hope.38
39You completely overpower him, and he passes on; you change his appearance and send him away.40
41If his sons receive honor, he does not know it; if they become insignificant, he is unaware of it.42
43He feels only the pain of his own body and mourns only for himself.44
3He blossoms like a flower, then withers; he flees like a shadow and does not last.4
5Do you really take notice of one like this? Will you bring me into judgment against you?6
7Who can produce something pure from what is impure? No one!8
9Since a person’s days are determined and the number of his months depends on you, and since you have set limits he cannot pass,10
11look away from him and let him rest so that he can enjoy his day like a hired worker.12
13There is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its shoots will not die.14
15If its roots grow old in the ground and its stump starts to die in the soil,16
17the scent of water makes it thrive and produce twigs like a sapling.18
19But a person dies and fades away; he breathes his last — where is he?20
21As water disappears from a lake and a river becomes parched and dry,22
23so people lie down never to rise again. They will not wake up until the heavens are no more; they will not stir from their sleep.24
25If only you would hide me in Sheol and conceal me until your anger passes. If only you would appoint a time for me and then remember me.26
27When a person dies, will he come back to life? If so, I would wait all the days of my struggle until my relief comes.28
29You would call, and I would answer you. You would long for the work of your hands.30
31For then you would count my steps but would not take note of my sin.32
33My rebellion would be sealed up in a bag, and you would cover over my iniquity.34
35But as a mountain collapses and crumbles and a rock is dislodged from its place,36
37as water wears away stones and torrents wash away the soil from the land, so you destroy a man’s hope.38
39You completely overpower him, and he passes on; you change his appearance and send him away.40
41If his sons receive honor, he does not know it; if they become insignificant, he is unaware of it.42
43He feels only the pain of his own body and mourns only for himself.44