Job 14:7-22 ▼

7 “For there is hope for a tree, When it is cut down, that it will change back sprouting again, And its shoots will not cease.

8 Though its roots grow old in the ground And its stump dies in the dry soil,

9 At the scent of water it will flourish And put forth sprigs like a plant.

10 But man dies and lies prostrate. Man breathes his last, and where is he?

11 As water evaporates from the sea, And a river becomes parched and dried up,

12 So man lies down and does not rise. Until the heavens are no longer, He will not awake nor be aroused out of his sleep.

13 “Oh that You would conceal me in Sheol, That You would hide me until Your anger returns to You, That You would set a limit for me and remember me!

14 If a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my labor I will wait Until my change comes.

15 You will call, and I will answer You; You will long for the work of Your hands.

16 For now You number my steps, You do not keep watch over my sin.

17 My transgression is sealed up in a bag, And You cover up my iniquity.

18 “But the falling mountain crumbles away, And the rock moves from its place;

19 Water wears away stones; Its torrents wash away the dust of the earth; So You make man’s hope perish.

20 You forever overpower him and he goes away; You alter his appearance and send him away.

21 His sons achieve honor, but he does not know it; Or they become insignificant, but he does not perceive it.

22 But his flesh pains him, And he mourns only for himself.”