Job 14 — AAB

Job Laments the Finality of Death

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