Job 14:1-15 ▼

1 Anyone born of woman is short of days and full of trouble.

2 He blossoms like a flower, then withers; he flees like a shadow and does not last.

3 Do you really take notice of one like this? Will you bring me into judgment against you?

4 Who can produce something pure from what is impure? No one!

5 Since a person’s days are determined and the number of his months depends on you, and since you have set limits he cannot pass,

6 look away from him and let him rest so that he can enjoy his day like a hired worker.

7 There is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its shoots will not die.

8 If its roots grow old in the ground and its stump starts to die in the soil,

9 the scent of water makes it thrive and produce twigs like a sapling.

10 But a person dies and fades away; he breathes his last—where is he?

11 As water disappears from a lake and a river becomes parched and dry,

12 so 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.

13 If 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.

14 When a person dies, will he come back to life? If so, I would wait all the days of my struggle until my relief comes.

15 You would call, and I would answer you. You would long for the work of your hands.