¹⁴ Why do I put myself in jeopardy
    and take my life in my hands?^(A)
15 Though he slay me, yet will I hope^(B) in him;^(C)
    I will surely^[a] defend my ways to his face.^(D)

⁴ “Show me, Lord, my life’s end
    and the number of my days;^(A)
    let me know how fleeting^(B) my life is.^(C)
5 You have made my days^(D) a mere handbreadth;
    the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,^(E)
    even those who seem secure.^[a]

⁶ “Surely everyone goes around^(F) like a mere phantom;^(G)
    in vain they rush about,^(H) heaping up wealth^(I)
    without knowing whose it will finally be.^(J)

⁷ “But now, Lord, what do I look for?
    My hope is in you.^(K)

¹¹ The Lord knows all human plans;^(A)
    he knows that they are futile.^(B)

⁸ “Now then, listen, you lover of pleasure,
    lounging in your security^(A)
and saying to yourself,
    ‘I am, and there is none besides me.^(B)
I will never be a widow^(C)
    or suffer the loss of children.’
⁹ Both of these will overtake you
    in a moment,^(D) on a single day:
    loss of children^(E) and widowhood.^(F)
They will come upon you in full measure,
    in spite of your many sorceries^(G)
    and all your potent spells.^(H)