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1
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Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth? are not his days also like the days of an hireling? |
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2
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As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as an hireling looketh for the reward of his work: |
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3
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So am I made to possess months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed to me. |
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4
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When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise, and the night be gone? and I am full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day. |
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5
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My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin is broken, and become loathsome. |
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6
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My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope. |
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7
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O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall no more see good. |
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8
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The eye of him that hath seen me shall see me no more: thine eyes are upon me, and I am not. |
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9
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As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more. |
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10
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He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more. |
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11
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Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. |
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12
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Am I a sea, or a whale, that thou settest a watch over me? |
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13
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When I say, My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaints; |
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14
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Then thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions: |
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15
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So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life. |
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16
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I loathe it; I would not live alway: let me alone; for my days are vanity. |
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17
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What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him? |
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18
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And that thou shouldest visit him every morning, and try him every moment? |
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19
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How long wilt thou not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle? |
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20
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I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men? why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself? |
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21
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And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away my iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be. |