Old Testament · Job

Job 14

Job Laments the Finality of Death

1Man^a, born of woman^b, is short of days and full of turmoil.
2Like a flower he comes forth and withers; and he flees like a shadow and does not stand.
3Indeed, upon such a one You open Your eyes, and bring me into judgment^c with You.
4Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Not one.
5If his days are determined, the number of his months is with You; You have appointed his statutes^d which he cannot pass over.
6Look away from him, that he may rest, until like a hireling he fulfills his day.
7For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and its tender shoot will not cease.
8Though its root grows old in the earth, and in the dust^e its stump dies,
9at the scent of water it will bud, and produce branches like a plant.
10But a man dies and is laid low; man expires, and where is he?
11The waters vanish from the sea, and a river dries up and is parched.
12And a man^f lies down and does not rise; until the heavens are no more they will not awake, nor be roused from their sleep.
13Who would grant that in Sheol You would hide me, conceal me until Your anger turns, that You would set for me a statute^g and remember me!
14If a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my service I would wait, until my relief comes.
15You would call, and I would answer You; You would long for the work of Your hands.
16For now You number my steps; You do not keep watch over my sin.
17Sealed up in a bag is my transgression, and You plaster over my iniquity.
18But truly a falling mountain crumbles, and a rock is removed from its place.
19The waters wear away stones; its overflowings wash away the dust of the earth; and so You destroy the hope of man.
20You overpower him forever, and he passes away; You change his face and send him away.
21His sons are honored, and he does not know it; and they are brought low, and he does not perceive concerning them.
22But his flesh^h upon him is in pain, and his soulⁱ within him mourns.