⁷ “At least there is hope for a tree:^(A)
    If it is cut down, it will sprout again,
    and its new shoots^(B) will not fail.^(C)
8 Its roots may grow old in the ground
    and its stump^(D) die in the soil,
⁹ yet at the scent of water^(E) it will bud
    and put forth shoots like a plant.^(F)
10 But a man dies and is laid low;^(G)
    he breathes his last and is no more.^(H)
11 As the water of a lake dries up
    or a riverbed becomes parched and dry,^(I)
12 so he lies down and does not rise;^(J)
    till the heavens are no more,^(K) people will not awake
    or be roused from their sleep.^(L)

¹³ “If only you would hide me in the grave^(M)
    and conceal me till your anger has passed!^(N)
If only you would set me a time
    and then remember^(O) me!^(P)
14 If someone dies, will they live again?
    All the days of my hard service^(Q)
    I will wait for my renewal^[a](R) to come.
¹⁵ You will call and I will answer you;^(S)
    you will long for the creature your hands have made.^(T)

²³ “Oh, that my words were recorded,
    that they were written on a scroll,^(A)
24 that they were inscribed with an iron tool^(B) on^[a] lead,
    or engraved in rock forever!^(C)
25 I know that my redeemer^[b](D) lives,^(E)
    and that in the end he will stand on the earth.^[c]
26 And after my skin has been destroyed,
    yet^[d] in^[e] my flesh I will see God;^(F)
27 I myself will see him
    with my own eyes^(G)—I, and not another.
    How my heart yearns^(H) within me!